Namibia aim for clean sweep in group stages

Christi Vilgoen has played a vital role with bat and ball during Namibia's unbeaten run in the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier. Photo/Supplied

Former Wanganui and Tech Old Boys cricket manager Andrew Lock is enjoying a winning debut as team liaison for the unbeaten Namibian squad in the qualifying round for the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014.

Namibia has strengthened its lead at the top of Group B with a 100-run victory over Uganda on day nine of the tournament.

On Tuesday, Namibia secured a place in the Super Six stage with its third successive victory, defeating Uganda by 100 runs at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Lock has played a pivotal role behind the scenes as the "go-to" man for the visitors, including arranging bowlers in the practice nets after injuries struck in the Namibian camp. "I'm team liaison, which means I do a bit of everything for them," Lock said during a rest day yesterday.

"I am the link between them and this country, supposedly having a bit of local knowledge on and off the field. They are a great bunch of guys, all born in Namibia, unlike some of the other visiting teams that include a few mercenaries for the want of a better word."

One of Lock's first duties early in the tournament was to arrange bowlers for net practice for the Namibian batsmen.

"They've had a torrid time of it with injuries. During a warm-up session, one of the team had a knee blowout and was eventually shipped home. That left them a bit short of bowlers for net practice."

Lock immediately called in two Wanganui Tech players, including son Tyler, to send a few balls down in the nets and allow the Namibian batsmen vital practice.

"I got Tyler and Paul O'Callaghan to bowl a few for them and that's obviously come in handy. We play Papua New Guinea (PNG) tomorrow and, safely through to the Super Six, we travel to Christchurch on Saturday to prepare for the next round, which begins on Sunday."

In the meantime, Lock took the team fishing off the Bay of Plenty coast yesterday.

In a match reduced to 36 overs a side due to morning rain on Tuesday, Namibia's bowlers smothered the Uganda chase of 161, with Louis Klazinga (four for 27), Christi Viljoen (three for 16) and JJ Smit (two for six) combining to dismiss Uganda for 61 in 17.5 overs. The trio ensured that Phillimon Mukobe (23 not out) was the only batsman to reach double figures. In gusty afternoon conditions, Uganda were not able to build any strong partnerships, and Viljoen and Klazinga combined to take the last four wickets for 13 runs in 3.3 overs to dismiss Uganda 101 runs short of its target.

Earlier, Namibia posted a competitive total of 161 for the loss of nine wickets, with openers LP van der Westhuizen scoring 52 and Stephan Baard adding 27 from 22 balls to get the side off to a strong start. Left-arm medium pacer Charles Waiswa claimed their wickets on his way to a match haul of four for 30, but the Namibia batsmen were able to rally, with Craig Williams adding 23 and Nicolaas Scholtz posting 18 to see the side reach a total of 161 with one wicket in hand.

Klazinga's and Waiswa's efforts are the third and fourth best bowling figures for the tournament, respectively.

Man of the match Van der Westhuizen, appearing in his first match of the tournament, was pleased with his performance. "It was quite tough, with the ball seaming around so we just had to keep the composure and take it deep into the innings, and luckily I was able to do that."

The 25-year-old was confident ahead of his side's final group match against PNG today. "We still have a game against PNG, so we'll prepare for that one and see if we can make it a whitewash in the group stages."

Scores in brief:

At Bay Oval 2, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga

Namibia 161 for nine, 36 overs (LP van der Westhuizen 52, Stephan Baard 27; Charles Waiswa 4-30, Patrick Ochan 2-27)

Uganda 61 all out, 17.5 overs (Phillimon Mukobe 23 not out; Louis Klazinga 4-27, Christi Viljoen 3-16, JJ Smit 2-6)

Result: Namibia won by 100 runs

Man of the Match: LP van der Westhuizen (Namibia)