SCOTLAND OPEN T20 SERIES WITH DOMINANT VICTORY OVER NAMIBIA
Scotland Men opened their three-match T20 series against Namibia with a convincing seven-wicket victory.
After restricting their hosts to 159-7, George Munsey and Brandon McMullen both struck 44 as Scotland reached their target with seven balls remaining - having been in control throughout the chase.
With the ball, Mark Watt (2-24) and Jasper Davidson (2-28) led the way, as early wickets ensured Scotland were always able to keep the Namibia run-rate in check.
Three wickets fell in the powerplay - Jasper Davidson removing Jan Frylinck (8) and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (6) either side of Mark Watt bowling Zacheo Van Vuuren (12) – as Namibia were reduced to 47-3.
Louren Steenkamp, who struck two fifties against Scotland in the preceding Cricket World Cup League 2 series, looked dangerous, reaching 27 from 19 deliveries – but was Zainullah Ihsan’s first victim in international cricket.
Malan Kruger (5) and Dylan Leicher (3) fell to Olly Davidson and Mark Watt respectively, as Namibia found themselves 94-6 in the 14th over, with Scotland firmly in command.
Gerhard Erasmus and Ruben Trumpelmann built an important partnership for the hosts, adding 42 for the seventh wicket – Erasmus going to his half-century from 35 deliveries.
Although Erasmus fell, for 54, to Safyaan Sharif in the penultimate over, Jan Balt cleared the ropes twice in his seven-ball 19 as, alongside Trumpelmann (22*), he lifted Namibia to 159-7.
In reply, George Munsey and Finlay McCreath got their side off to the perfect start, adding 53 inside six overs – McCreath falling for 16 as he dragged onto Jack Brassell.
Munsey looked set for his 15th T20i half-century, but fell six runs short, to Max Heingo – to leave Scotland 80-2 in the 11th over.
That brought together Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington, who both picked up where they left off in Sunday's victory over the same opponents.
The pair added 67 in just 41 deliveries to wrestle complete control of the game away from Namibia, and when Berrington fell for 34, to a stunning one-handed catch on the boundary by Trumpelmann, Scotland required just 11.
McMullen (44*) and Matthew Cross (7*) would guide their side over the line, and to secure a second consecutive win over Namibia across both formats.