END OF OVER:10 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | NAM: 84/3 (42 runs required, RR: 8.40)
- Gerhard Erasmus1 (3b)
- JJ Smit0 (1b)
- Jofra Archer2-0-15-1
- Chris Jordan2-0-19-1
6.12pm That is the end of the first act of the last round in Group B. England have done the needful, after being pushed to their wits' end by the weather. Valkerie's report will be here shortly. Can Australia do them a favour, and send Scotland home tae think again? Tune in shortly to find out! From Miller, Ekanth and Ranjith, good night!
Gerhard Erasmus: "It was a steep chase, but felt bowling first was the right way to go. Wiese doesn't want to open, next time we'd get him in earlier, but unfortunately it was his last game, a great moment in his last game. Massive impact, in terms of the level of cricket he brought to our circle, inspired us to new heights. On-field success have to be disappointed, but coming to international events and the exposure gained is gold dust. Definitely this every time you get this exposure you get better. Definitely can't hide behind the fact we need to play more."
Jos Buttler: "A big relief, a stressful day, but we put in a good performance, well prepared when we did play, and played well. After I got out, thought 85-90 might be a good score, the way it was sticking in the wicket, but Bairstow and Brook a good partnership. Class players, not much time in the middle but they created something. We've had two games rained off in England and the Scotland game, but we've done all we can do."
For one night only, an Australia fan? "Absolutely..."
Harry Brook is Player of the Match: "There was a lot of anxiety going around. Thankfully it stopped and we got a game. We took a bit of information from batting, Toppers started beautifully with his height. It was tough against the big boys. Facing spin in the middle was tough, didn't know how it would come out of the pitch, plinking into the gap for twos so I was knackered. But Jonny was banging it, he batted beautifully."
Kaleem : "So what if Scotland Vs Australia is washout " Scotland would go through with the extra point
5.56pm And breathe. England were pushed right to the limits of their campaign there, not so much by Namibia but by the weather, albeit David Wiese with ball and bat did his utmost.
For three hours it seemed any hope of play was futile, but the skies cleared, and do too did England's mindset, after a distinctly hairy Powerplay on a sweaty Antigua pitch. England finish with a net run-rate of 3.61, so that's not going to be a factor. It all comes down to St Lucia, and whether Scotland can do a number on Australia. If they can, they fair play to them. They will vault into the Super Eight at England's expense.
Hari Sankar A: "Wiese should keep going on for at least the next two years with a hope of Namibia qualifying for T20WC 2026" He'd certainly be worth his place, but all signs are that he's done now...
Dewey: "Reckon Namibia would have given England a run for their money if this was a 5-over chase." I agree!
D Wiese c Brook b Archer 27 (17m 12b 2x4 2x6) SR: 225.00
Archer to close it out
END OF OVER:9 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | NAM: 80/2 (46 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.88, RRR: 46.00)
- David Wiese26 (10b)
- Chris Jordan2-0-19-1
- Adil Rashid2-0-29-0
Barmy: "Why has sam Curran not been picked before? Brings so much balance to the bowling attack. " He had a tough tour of the Caribbean in December, but yes, the conditions for this tournament might suit him better
M van Lingen c Brook b Jordan 33 (41m 29b 1x4 3x6) SR: 113.79
Peter: "all credit to Namibia. they haven't lost a wicket yet." Nor did Scotland ... Oman, on the other hand...
Ed: "Imagine smashing a bowler of rashid's quality for 20 and still seeing the required rate go up. Should have opened with Wiese"
RIght, it's 55 or bust for Namibia. Wiese has shown he can lump this attack... here's Jordan