Eagles' disappointing form continues

Tielman Van LillWindhoekOn the day when it really mattered, the USA shook off the recent Namibian Eagles dominance and inflicted a sensitive setback on the host team.The Americans started the opening match of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) qualifying tournament ahead of the final qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup in India on the back foot, but eventually won convincingly by 80 runs.After Gerhard Erasmus won the toss at the Wanderers field and sent the touring team in hoping to benefit from early morning conditions, seam bowler Ben Shikongo fired on all cylinders as he dismissed Steven Taylor (4 ) and the dangerous Monank Patel (0) within four deliveries.This development immediately put the USA (5/2) under pressure. But Sushant Modani, who had opened their inning with Taylor, was still there, along with Aaron Jones. The duo took the score to 60/3 in 13 overs with a 55-run partnership at 4.2 per over.Game onWith Modani (17) out at 60/3, Jones (36) looked like the danger man for a while and had to anchor the innings, but he was taken out after 19.2 overs. Shayan Jahangir (5 runs, at 91/5), Nisarg Patel (3, at 105/6) and especially Gajanand Singh (53, 150/7) as well as Jessy Singh (33, 176/8) made important contributions.The USA’s tailenders, Nosthush Kenjige (43 off 43 balls, three fours, and two sixes) and Saurabh Netravalkar (10* not out) battled hard to finish their innings at 231/9 after 50 overs.Kenjige and Singh’s 51-run partnership largely benefitted the USA. The USA batsmen scored 20 boundaries (15x4, 5x6, 90 runs).Among the Eagles’ bowling unit, Shikongo with 3 wickets for 59 runs in 10 bb, 1 wicket, Shaun Fouché (3/46 in 10), Ruben Trumpelmann (2/36 in 10, 1 wicket) and Pikky Ya France (1/52 in 10) grew. Bernard Scholtz was extremely economical with 0/27 in 10 (1 maiden).Early breakthroughNamibia’s innings got off to a shaky start when USA seamer Ali Khan clean bowled both Niko Davin (1) and Michael van Lingen (0) with consecutive balls in the second over, with just two runs on the scoreboard.Opener Shaun Fouché started to consolidate with Gerhard Erasmus (22 off 41 balls, 2x4) and slowly but surely built a partnership of 51 in 18.4 overs before Erasmus was caught out at 56/3 in 18.4 overs.With Nicol Loftie-Eaton (38) attempting to fight back, Namibia’s run chase was steadily on course, but collapsed dramatically from the 34th over. Fouché (out for 55, at 125/5), Zane Green (6, at 127/6), Michau du Preez (5, at 135/7), Trumpelmann (0, at 135/8), Scholtz (0, at 136/9 ) and Shikongo (1, at 151 all out) could not handle the USA bowling attack.In the Eagles’ innings, only 10 balls (8x4, 2x6) were sent to the boundary rope for 44 runs.tielman@republikein.com.naOverwhelmedUSA bowling figures: Ali Khan (3/21 in 7, 1 not out), Nisarg Patel (3/29 in 9, 1 not out), Jessy Singh (2/33 in 7.4), Saurabh Netravalkar (1/13 in 8, 1 maiden), and Gajanand Singh (1/13 in 4) completely overwhelmed the Eagles batsmen.Gajanand Singh was named player of the match for his all-round contribution of 53 runs, 1/13 and two catches.The teams’ comparative scores:After 10 overs: USA (35/2) NAM (26/2). 20 overs: USA (85/4) NAM (57/3). 30 overs: USA (124/6) NAM (115/4). 40 overs: USA (165/7) NAM (–). 50 overs: USA (231/9) NAM (–).Upcoming matches this week (all starting at 09:30):Today: UAE v PNG at Wanderers; Jersey v Canada at United.Wednesday: Canada v USA at Wanderers; PNG v Namibia at United.Thursday: Namibia v Jersey at Wanderers; USA v UAE at United.

Eagles' disappointing form continues

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Eagles' disappointing form continues

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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