Namibia once again let slip a promising start to North West’s second innings in Potchefstroom, as a huge seventh wicket partnership between Brett Pelser and Chris Morris put the home side firmly in charge.
When the two batsmen got together North West were in deep trouble at 96/6 in their second innings, but they took complete control of the match to add a record 249 runs for the seventh wicket.
Morris was eventually out, bowled by Louis Burger for 145, which came off 154 balls and included 17 fours and three sixes.
At stumps North West had moved on to 350/7 for an overall lead of 331, with Pelser not out on 110.
After dismissing North West for 194 in their first innings, Namibia took a slight first innings lead as they were all out for 214.
Gerhard Rudolph and new cap, 17-year-old Stephen Baard top scored with 45 runs each, while Craig Williams added 35 and Louis Klazinga 31.
Kyllin Vardhan was North West’s best bowler, taking 5/25 off 9 overs.
North West moved along steadily to 93/3 in their second innings when Namibia struck with three wickets in eight balls to take the advantage. Christie Viljoen took two wickets in three balls and Craig Williams a third wicket in the next over as North West crashed to 96/6.
But that would be the end of Namibia’s celebrations as they once again failed to drive home the advantage.
Pelser and Morris took complete control of the bowling to swing the match in North West’s favour and with one day remaining in their three-day challenge it will be North West who will start the final day in the ascendancy.