WINDHOEK, Namibia – Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher struck an impressive back-to-the-wall century off just 82 balls, however, the rearguard action was not enough as the visitors fell short by 63 runs to an increasingly confident Namibia at the National Cricket Ground today.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Namibia’s top-order once more built a solid platform – led by Jan Frylinck who hit his second career ODI century, ending on 126 from 122 balls. Frylinck was ably supported by last match centurion Gerhard Erasmus (54) and Malan Kruger (42) as the home side passed 300 for the second successive match in this series. For Ireland, Andy McBrine (2-53) and Curtis Campher (2-68) were the pick of the bowlers, while Jai Moondra claimed 1-49 and was probably unlucky not to add a few more to his wicket tally on a pitch that didn’t offer much for the bowlers.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling picked up a finger injury in the field and didn’t come out to bat in the Irish response – a run chase that struggled from the first over when makeshift opener Cade Carmichael fell for 0 trapped in front by Bernard Scholtz.
317 was always going to be a challenging target but looked even less likely when Campher came to the crease in the 12th over with the visitors 56-4. Campher, though, looked relaxed and played his shots in a counter-attacking knock of quality. The all-rounder stroked 11 fours and cleared the ropes on three further occasions as he brought up his 50 off 45 balls, before powering through to his second ODI century off just 37 more balls.
McBrine (30) and George Dockrell (25) offered Campher some support, but when Campher was run out for 106 taking on the outfielder’s arm attempting a quick two, Ireland found themselves at 246-7 and hopes of a lower-order led victory fading rapidly. The last two wickets fell soon after, with the injured Stirling not able to bat, and Namibia sealed a 63-run win with relative ease.
The two sides are back in action on Friday.
MATCH SUMMARY
Namibia Men v Ireland Men, 3rd ODI, Windhoek, 27 October 2026
Namibia 316-7 (50 overs; J Frylinck 126, G Erasmus 54; A McBrine 2-53)
Ireland 253 (44.1 overs; C Campher 106)
Namibia Men won by 63 runs
