SCINTILLATING MCMULLEN LEADS SCOTLAND TO VICTORY OVER NAMIBIA
Scotland Men ended their ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Namibia in style with a dominant seven-wicket win over their hosts.
Brandon McMullen was the star of the show for Scotland, leading the way with the ball with 3-47 as Namibia were bowled out for 198 - before striking a stunning 90-ball century to steer his side's chase.
Richie Berrington (43) and Mark Watt (27*) also made important contributions alongside McMullen - who was battling cramp as he neared his 100, and was forced to retire hurt - with Scotland reaching their target inside 38 overs.
McMullen said: "It was pleasing to get a win, I survived a couple of chances and rode my luck, but I'm glad to help get the win for the team.
"I was struggling with a bit of cramp, I've never had that in my whole life so it was a whole knew thing for me, but luckily I could get a few runs for the team and help put in a winning performance."
Scotland enjoyed an excellent start when Jack Jarvis struck with his first ball, Willem Myburgh chasing a wide delivery and edging through to Matthew Cross.
Malan Kruger looked to take on the Scotland attack, with all 16 runs coming via boundaries – but his intent was his undoing, as he holed out to Jasper Davidson at mid-off from the bowling of McMullen.
Namibia's top order struggles continued as McMullen struck again to remove Gerhard Erasmus (2), before Watt dismissed Jan Frylinck (22) and Zane Green (14), the hosts slipping to 93-5.
Just like in the first meeting, it was Louren Steenkamp who was tasked with digging his side out of trouble, this time alongside JJ Smit, as they combined to add 87 for the sixth wicket.
The pair were becalmed for much of their partnership that lasted for 21 overs – and when the time to hit out came, both fell in quick succession to check Namibia’s progress.
After clearing the ropes twice in the space of three balls, Smit fell to the final ball of the 44th over to McMullen for 44, before Steenkamp fell after just one more run was added, to Jasper Davidson, for a fine 67.
There was little resistance from Namibia's lower order, their final five wickets falling for just 22 runs as they were bowled out for 198 - Mark Watt (2-25), Olly Davidson (2-28) and Jack Jarvis (2-29) all taking two wickets apiece to back-up McMullen.
Scotland's response suffered a double setback early on, the left-arm quick Ruben Trumpelmann trapping George Munsey in front second ball, before dismissing fellow opener Finlay McCreath (2) in similar fashion.
That brought McMullen and Berrington together at 21-2 - and they combined for a crucial partnership that ultimately took the game away from Namibia.
The duo added 112 in 118 deliveries, as McMullen scored his 2000th runs in a Scotland shirt when he reached 67.
Berrington ultimately succumbed to the spin of Myburgh seven short of a half-century of his own, but McMullen continued on his way, despite suffering cramp, bringing up his century by smearing Trumpelmann over mid-off for six.
He would retire hurt just two balls later, but Watt and Cross (19*) guided Scotland across the line for a first win of the tour.