Coetzer century proves in vain

Scotland missed the chance to close up on the Netherlands at the top of the World Cricket League Championship table following a 50-run defeat by Namibia despite a century from captain Kyle Coetzer in Edinburgh.

Grant Bradburn’s side, aiming to reach the qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Cup, had secured a 51-run victory on the Duckworth-Lewis method after the match at Raeburn Place had been forced into Monday’s reserve day following rain.

However, there was to be no repeat yesterday as Namibia posted a competitive 324 for five after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Openers Stephan Baard (78) and Zane Green (61) both made half-centuries, while Craig Williams finished unbeaten following a rapid 69.

After seeing Matthew Cross (21) out off Christi Viljoen’s first ball and Calum MacLeod following just two deliveries later for a duck, Scotland were left on 42 for two in the eighth over.

Richie Berrington, who had made his highest oneday international score of 110 in the last match, helped steady the ship alongside Coetzer before the players briefly went off for a rain break just after 5pm, with Scotland having moved on to 158 without further loss.

However, Berrington went for 61 swiftly after the restart when trapped lbw by Bernard Scholtz in the 30th over, with Namibia picking up regular wickets as Coetzer brought up his century and was then caught on the boundary for 112.

Namibia, who started the day bottom of the table with just one win from nine matches and battling to fend off relegation to WCL Division Two, negotiated another rain break as Scotland finished on 274 for nine.

Kyle Coetzer: caught on the boundary for 112.