New Zealand survived a scare in the batting department to beat a spirited Namibia by a big margin of 52 runs to register their third victory in the group stages. Gerhard Erasmus-led Namibia made Indian fans watch the game after they troubled the Kiwi top order but lack of experience in death overs against big teams followed by an organised chase gave Kane Williamson’s side an easy win. The 52-run win also helped New Zealand improve their net run rate and climb to the second in the Group 2 standings.
No pace in run chase
Namibia batters were never able to keep up with the required run rate. They scored at six runs per over in the powerplay overs. The only thing in their favour was they did not lose early wickets. But as soon as Williamson introduced spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, Namibia’s top order departed leaving a required run rate over 10 runs per over for the middle-order to chase. Zane Green and David Wiese hit one six each but lost their wickets to the veteran Tim Southee. In the end, Namibia managed to 111/7 in 20 overs losing their fourth match on the trot.
Neesham-Phillips’ late surge
It was all going well for Namibia in the middle overs. The BlackCaps midde-order batters changed the game in the last four overs scoring as many as 67 runs. On a slow wicket, Kiwi batters liked the pace they were offered as they hammered David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann and JJ Smitt. Phillips remained unbeaten for 21-ball 39 and Neesham scored 35 runs from 23 balls. Phillips hit three sixes whereas the fast-bowling all-rounder hit two. The barrage of boundaries helped New Zealand finish on a high with 163/4 on the board which turned out to big a total for a mediocre Namibia batting lineup to chase.
Kiwi top order struggles
The Kiwi top order did not have an easy game against the Scottish bowlers. Wiese got the first breakthrough getting the danger-man Martin Guptill out in the fifth over. Daryl Mitchell got just after the powerplay overs losing his wicket to Bernard Scholtz whereas Williamson’s stumps were disturbed by Erasmus. When Williamson got out, New Zealand were on 81/3 in 12.1 overs. The Kiwis were expected to put on a below par first innings score before Scottish bowlers leaked boundaries in death overs.
