Jan Frylinck stars as Namibia take series lead against Ireland

Namibia took a 2-1 lead in the five-match ODI series after scoring over 300 once more and successfully defending the total against Ireland in a repeat of their performance in the second ODI. In the second match, Namibia scored 321/6 and finished with 316/7 before bowling Ireland out for 253 in Windhoek. Despite a determined century from Curtis Campher, the tourists lost by 63 runs, despite coming much closer to the target the previous time.

Namibia got off to a good start thanks to Malan Kruger, but Gerhard Erasmus and Jan Frylinck continued to lead the scoring. Erasmus had scored a mammoth ton in the last encounter with Frylinck chipping in with a half-century. On Tuesday (October 27), the roles reversed. Erasmus scored a brisk 51-ball 54 but Frylinck carried on further to register an excellent ton.

Frylinck was dismissed only in the penultimate over of Namibia's innings for 126, just before the hosts went past the 300-run mark. Alexander Volschenk contributed with a crucial 26-ball 36 to give Namibia firepower at the end.

Ireland's pursuit of 317 got off to a disastrous start when Bernard Scholtz traded Cade Carmichael for a duck. Ireland lost their top four in 13 overs, and the key trio of Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, and Harry Tector did not perform. But just when the chips were down, Campher stepped up to provide the visitors some hope again.

Campher was a part of an 86-run stand that briefly posed a threat to Namibia in the run chase after adding 61 for the fifth wicket. Campher persevered and scored a stunning century despite the fact that the home team found an opening when they broke the partnership with the wicket of George Dockrell. Ireland's resistance was finally broken when he was dismissed with 71 runs remaining as the tail gave way.