An unbeaten 71 from Sarel Burger has just about given Namibia the edge on day one of its ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Bermuda in Hamilton.

Burger was assisted by a number of cameo contributions from team-mates all the way through the batting card but he was the anchor that held fast as wickets fell around him at regular intervals.

By the close, Namibia had progressed to 280-9 with the home team’s bowlers sticking well to their task throughout the day. Burger’s watchful innings came off 225 balls and complemented the more quick-fire efforts from those around him.

JB Burger made 42 off 46 at the top of the innings while Gerrie Snyman – never a man to shy away from hitting a big ball – scored 58, 36 of which came from sixes, and number nine batsman Tobias Verwey’s invaluable 34 came from just 33 deliveries.

At the close, Sarel was still there with number 11 Louis Klazinga (eight not out) keeping him company.

The Bermuda bowlers had toiled well with four (Stefan Kelly, Dwayne Leverock, Delyone Borden and Rodney Trott) taking two wickets apiece and Stephen Outerbridge snatching one. Of those, off-spinner Borden (2-44) was the most economical with eight of his 22 overs being maidens.

It sets the game up nicely for day two. If Burger and Klazinga can add a few more, they could put the first-innings points in the bag. But if Bermuda can wrap up the Namibia innings early, Irving Romaine and his team will feel they have a good chance of causing an upset against the hitherto unbeaten Africans.