Cricket

Namibia made a fine comeback to finish in a strong position after the first dayâ??s play against Free State in their SAA Challenge cricket match on Thursday.

Free State made a solid start and reached 210/4 at tea, but Namibia struck back in the final session to reduce the visitors to 277/9.

A rejuvenated Namibian side takes on Free State in an SAA Challenge match starting at the Wanderers ground on Thursday, after some fine performances over the past month.

Namibia performed brilliantly to beat both the United Arab Emirates and Kenya in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Dubai last month, which saw them overtaking Kenya at the top of the log.

Namibia and Bermuda were the biggest winners at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Development Programmeâ??s Annual Awards, with each country wining three awards each in their respective regions.

A brilliant double century by Gerrie Snyman gave Namibia a remarkable 101-run victory over Kenya on Thursday, which saw them moving to the top of the ICC Inter-Continental Cup log for the first time.

Namibia claimed a hard-fought 40-run win in their Intercontinental Cup clash against UAE in Sharjah with Jan-Berrie Burger taking a career-best 5 for 81 after a brave innings from Khurram Khan had kept UAE's hopes alive.

Namibia ended the third day of their Intercontinental Cup tie against UAE in Sharjah in a commanding position after reducing the home side to 44 for 2 after setting them a target of 337.

Namibia, who fought back well yesterday after conceding a first-innings lead of 60, started on 164 for 3 and soon lost Dawid Botha, their Under-19 captain, shortly after he had completed his hundred. When Louis Botha followed with the score on 207, Namibia were five down and only 147 ahead.

Namibia fought back strongly on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup clash against UAE in Sharjah, dismissing the hosts for 224 and gaining a lead of 104 by stumps. Dawid Botha, the opening batsman, was unbeaten on 96 at the close.

UAE made an excellent start to their Intercontinental Cup clash against Namibia, dismissing them for a mediocre 164 on the opening day in Sharjah on January 23. At stumps, UAE had almost closed the gap on Namibia's poor total and trailed by 17.

The one-day SAA Cup match between Namibia and Zimbabwe A was abandoned after rain interrupted play.

The match started an hour late after overnight rain waterlogged the outfield, but when heavy rain came down again shortly after lunch the match had to be abandoned.

Zimbabwe A beat Namibia by eight wickets in their SAA Challenge match at Windhoekâ??s Wanderers ground on Saturday, January 12.

Namibia posted a respectable 331 in their second innings, but ultimately their defeat was already sealed on the first day when they were skittled out for 107 runs in their first innings.