Watson gives Scotland the edge

Scotland 95 for 3 (Watson 62*) trail Namibia 168 (S Burger 69, Lyons 4-10) by 73 runs
Scorecard

Scotland celebrate a wicket at Aberdeen © Cricket Scotland

Interspersed with some slow Namibian batting, there was some tremendous entertainment during the first day of this Intercontinental Cup fixture.

At close of play Scotland definitely hold the advantage, but not as much as they hoped.

In superb conditions it was no surprise when Namibia elected to bat after winning the toss. Openers Stefan Swanepoel & David Botha made a cautious start in what for them were strange surroundings and only 28 runs came in the first hour for the loss of Botha's wicket. The batsmen continued to struggle against some nagging Scottish bowling, with the glowing exceptions of Sarel Burger & Gerrie Snyman. They shared a dominating 5th wicket partnership of 70 in 16 overs.

They both used the quick outfield to good effect-Burger had 10 fours in his fifty while Snyman hit 8 fours in his first 35 runs. However, Snyman became becalmed after reaching 40, perhaps eyeing up a first-class fifty, and it was no surprise when he was smartly stumped by Smith. Worth noting that Smith's haul of 4 victims during the innings enabled him to break the long held record for dismissals by Jimmy Brown.

Burger's run rate then slowed down and he was out LBW just before the tea interval. While the tea interval score of 162-6 after 63 overs was disappointing to Namibia, worse was to follow.

They collapsed in dramatic fashion after the break, adding only 12 runs for the loss of the remaining wickets.

Opening bowler Paul Hoffmann was on a hat trick after dismissing Kola Burger & Van Der Westhuisen both first ball, but it was Ross Lyons who has the star of the show for Scotland. He has been an effective bowler for Scotland in recent years against English Counties & he replicated that form on this occasion. The slow left-armer finished with the admirable analysis of 12.4-8-10-4. No Namibian batsman played him with certainty.

The Scotland innings started in dramatic fashion. Opener Douglas Lockhart turned the ball to long-leg and completed a single. It was then noticed that he had trodden on his off-stump and he was given out to a belated appeal. This brought Ryan Watson to the wicket. He showed agressive intent from the off, continuing the good form he had shown in this year's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. He received able support from Ian Stanger before Stanger edged a ball to the wicket-keeper off his wrist.

Fraser Watts then took up the challenge, as the scoering rate continued at to race along at 5 an over, more than double the rate of the Namibian innings. However, this cost Scotland dear when, in the last over of the day. Watts attempted a suicidal run and was run out by a smart throw from wicket-keeper Ludik.