West Indies explode to end winless run with eight-wicket rout of Namibia
Key Points(5)
- The West Indies revived their 2026 IMC Masters Over-40s World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion Wednesday, combining a devastating bowling performance with an explosive batting display to crush Namibia by eight wickets at the Police Sports Club Ground in Eve Leary.
- After losing their opening two group matches, the hosts finally broke through with a commanding victory, dismissing Namibia for 143 in 31.3 overs before racing to 144 for two in just 12.2 overs.
- The comprehensive result offered a timely response from the Caribbean side, who left Namibia with little opportunity to recover after striking early with the ball and then overwhelming their target with the bat.
- Early strikes trigger Namibian collapse Namibia's decision to bat first quickly backfired when Benn ripped through the opening pair in his first over, leaving the visitors reeling at four for two.
- Captain Gerrie Snyman briefly steadied the innings with an aggressive 39 off 40 balls, including six boundaries, but Namibia struggled to build a sustained partnership as the West Indies turned to spin.
The West Indies revived their 2026 IMC Masters Over-40s World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion Wednesday, combining a devastating bowling performance with an explosive batting display to crush Namibia by eight wickets at the Police Sports Club Ground in Eve Leary.
After losing their opening two group matches, the hosts finally broke through with a commanding victory, dismissing Namibia for 143 in 31.3 overs before racing to 144 for two in just 12.2 overs.
The comprehensive result offered a timely response from the Caribbean side, who left Namibia with little opportunity to recover after striking early with the ball and then overwhelming their target with the bat.
Early strikes trigger Namibian collapse
Namibia's decision to bat first quickly backfired when Benn ripped through the opening pair in his first over, leaving the visitors reeling at four for two.
Captain Gerrie Snyman briefly steadied the innings with an aggressive 39 off 40 balls, including six boundaries, but Namibia struggled to build a sustained partnership as the West Indies turned to spin.
Reno Mittelholzer and Imran Khan dismantled the middle order, reducing Namibia from 69 for three to 71 for seven in a devastating spell that effectively settled the contest.
Mittelholzer claimed three wickets for 34 runs, dismissing Snyman, Nicolaas Buys, and Colin Fraser Steytler. Khan also collected three wickets, finishing with three for 48 after removing John Valentin for 11, Henry Hayes for 16, and Hendrik Geldenhuys.
Geldenhuys launches late resistance
Namibia's lower order offered some resistance through Geldenhuys, who counterattacked with 43 from 29 deliveries, striking four boundaries and three sixes.
He combined with Hugo Ludik, who scored 16, in a useful eighth-wicket partnership worth 55 runs that lifted Namibia beyond the 100-run mark.
However, Devendra Bishoo ended the resistance, taking two wickets for 25 runs as Namibia was bowled out for 143 in 31.3 overs.
Rakesh Maharaj also played a valuable supporting role, conceding just 21 runs from his seven overs to help keep Namibia's total within reach.
Chattergoon sets the pace in blistering chase
The West Indies wasted little time pursuing their target of 144, with openers Randy Thomas and Sewnarine Chattergoon racing to 59 in just 5.3 overs.
Thomas struck 29 from 17 balls before Buys brought the opening stand to an end, but Chattergoon continued to dominate the Namibian attack.
The left-hander reached his half-century in only 28 deliveries and finished with 57 from 31 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. His dismissal at 107 for two in the 10th over came far too late to revive Namibia's hopes.
Jason Mohammed then provided the finishing burst, hammering an unbeaten 43 from just 18 balls with eight boundaries and a six.
Captain Denesh Ramdin remained unbeaten on 15 from 11 deliveries as the pair completed the chase in 12.2 overs, leaving the West Indies with 27.4 overs to spare.
South Africa, England and India also claim decisive wins
Elsewhere, defending champions South Africa produced one of the day's most remarkable bowling performances, crushing Colombia by eight wickets at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground.
Fast bowler Robert Mutch ripped through Colombia's lineup with eight wickets for just 10 runs from 6.5 overs, including three maidens, as the South Americans were dismissed for 52 in 23.5 overs.
South Africa needed only 7.2 overs to reach 53 for two and secure another emphatic victory.
England also recorded a seven-wicket win, defeating Pakistan at the Everest Cricket Club Ground behind a commanding century from Ben Frazer.
Pakistan posted 210, powered by Sheharyar Ghani's 86, while Steven Naylor claimed four wickets for 29 runs. Frazer then anchored England's reply with an unbeaten 119 from 102 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes. Naylor contributed 35 as England reached its target in 33.4 overs.
India completed the day's other major victory, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets.
Anup N Fulper claimed four wickets for 22 runs to help dismiss New Zealand for 126. Somesh Nair scored 39, Amit Paul added 37, and Pankaj Dhuldhoye finished unbeaten on 36 as India reached 127 for two in 19.2 overs.
Thursday's fixtures
The tournament continues Thursday with two matches on the schedule.
Scotland will face the United States at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, while the Rest of the World takes on the Rest of the Caribbean at the Malteenoes Sports Club Ground.
For the West Indies, Wednesday's emphatic victory provides a much-needed boost after their difficult start, with the hosts now looking to build momentum as the group stage continues.
