Email This Article To Someone!Namibia have got their campaign in the South African Provincial three-day challenge tournament underway with a draw against Free State in Bloemfontein.
Namibia, fielding somewhat of a weakened side with Gerrie Snyman missing and 42 year old coach Louis Vorster playing, won the toss and chose to bat first. The first two wickets, Raymond van Schoor and Sarel Burger, fell with just 38 on the board before Gerrit Rudolph and captain Craig Williams kicked the innings on.
The third wicket pair put on a partnership of 171 before Rudolph was out four short of a much deserved maiden first-class century with the score on 209. Williams went on to score 122 before Hancke von Rauenstein had him stumped. Louis van der Westhuizen hit a quickfire 41 from 31 balls as Namibia scored 311/6 before their compulsory declaration after 85 overs.
Free State started their reply with a 91 run partnership for the first wicket before Namibia tightened things up, reducing them to 151/6. Patrick Botha and Raymond Terblanche then put on 96 for the seventh wicket before Louis Klazinga polished off the tail, finishing with 5/67, his second five wicket haul in first-class cricket.
Free State were bowled out in their 85th over, but managed to get the narrowest of first-innings leads, scoring 312. Namibia had reached 83/1 by the close of the second day. Gerrit Rudolph was dismissed early on, but Raymond van Schoor (43) and Sarel Burger (36) were looking well set.
Van Schoor fell pretty quickly for 48 on the third day, but Burger stayed in, scoring an unbeaten 123, his maiden first-class century. But he was too slow, scoring his runs from 326 balls, and when Namibia finally declared at 289/7 from 119 overs, the game was all but over as a contest.
Free State scored 83/1 in their second innings, with Namibia using part-time bowlers, before the game was called a draw. The two teams will meet again tomorrow in a one-day game.
Free State drew with Namibia
OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein, 8-10 October 2009
Namibia 311/6d (85 overs, C Williams 122, G Rudolph 96, L van der Westhuizen 41) & 289/7d (119 overs, S Burger 123*, R van Schoor 48, H von Rauenstein 3/84)
Free State 312 (84.2 overs, P Botha 74, R Terblanche 45, D van Wyk 43, L Klazinga 5/67) & 83/1 (21 overs, D van Wyk 47*, L Sesele 35)
