Namibia in UCBSA division 2
Tony Munro - 19 January 1999

Fine all-round performances from the Kotze brothers, Dean and Bjorn, highlighted Namibia's drawn UCB Division Two three-day match against Orange Free State A in Windhoek last week.

The Kotze brothers had helped get Namibia into a sound position before rain caused play to be abandoned on the final day. The match finished with Nambia 67-2 chasing 210 for victory.

The Kotzes combined to limit OFS A to 199 in their first innings, with Bjorn pinning down the early batsmen with 9-1 off 11 overs. Dean then capitalised taking 66-4 off 21 overs. Fellow opening bowler, James Kirtley, bowling good line and length, conceded a miserly 13-1 from 12 overs. Herman Wessels (62) and Dewald Pretorius (44), who proved to be Nambia's nemesis over the four days, top-scored for OFS A.

Namibia replied with 194 all out with Dean (38) and Bjorn (26) among the main contributors. Melt van Schoor (36) and skipper Danie Kuelder (33) also made runs. For OFS A Pretorius was the destroyer with 22-4 off 25 overs. Bjorn (18-2), who opens both the batting and bowling, and Dean (35-2) again combined, to limit OFS A to 214, with Jan Berrie Burger also chipping in with 38-2. Namibia were 67-2 needing 210 before rain halted play. Namibia and OFS A shared the bonus points with 6 each.

Batting on a damp pitch, Namibia were skittled for 64 all-out to lose by 10 wickets in their UCB Division Two one-day match against OFS A. Overnight rain had delayed the start due to the pitch being waterlogged. When play did commence, that man Pretorius took full advantage, removing four top order batsmen, and finishing with 14-4 off eight overs. Openers Gerald Fourie (21*) and Andrew Gates (44*)took advantage of improving conditions to guide the OFS A to victory.

UCB Bowl Division Two matches are not First Class. Namibia's next matches are against Boland in Paarl, with the three-day match commencing on February 12, and the one-dayer on February 15. Next month's edition of this page will bring you all the facts

Details:

1-Day Match:
Namibia 64 (D.Pretorius 14-4)
OFS A 65-0 (G.Fourie 21*, A.Gates 44*)
Orange Free State A won by 10 wickets.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Namibian cricket continues to grow, as leagues in the Western, Northern and Central parts of the country are this season being contested for the first time. In some cases, players are making return trips of 900kms for games.