JJ Smit sets up Namibia's first-ever bilateral ODI series win

JJ Smit's four-for helped Namibia seal their first-ever bilateral ODI series win, as they beat Ireland by five wickets in the fifth ODI to finish 3-2 in Windhoek. This was Ireland's second ODI series loss to an Associate nation, having previously lost to Netherlands in 2021.

Namibia, one of the hosts of the 2027 ODI World Cup, were playing just their second bilateral ODI series, having played their first one against South Africa in September, which they lost 3-0.

In this series, Namibia also won their first-ever match against a Full Member nation when they sealed a 31-run win in the second ODI. The series was subsequently tied at 2-2, and in the fifth ODI, Ireland opted to bat first. However, they quickly lost openers Tim Tector and Andy Balbirnie for single-digit scores. Cade Carmichael and Harry Tector then attempted to steady the innings, but Jack Brassell broke their 29-run stand in the 19th over.

Smit then went on to take three in an over, first removing captain Lorcan Tucker off the first ball of the 23rd over and then getting Curtis Campher and George Dockrell out for ducks. He came back to remove Gavin Hoey for 9 in the 33rd over, which left Ireland nine down

Brassell then wrapped up Ireland's innings for 129, removing Jai Moondra in the following over.

In the chase, Namibia's openers got off to a brisk start, adding 40 runs together before Moondra broke through. Louren Steenkamp's 46 off 44 balls followed by Gerhard Erasmus' 30 off 18 balls kept the chase firmly on track. Namibia sealed the chase in the 22nd over, with 172 balls to spare, as Zane Green sealed the historic win with a six.