Munsey’s maiden hundred a shining light in dreich draw
Scots’ I-cup chances fizzle out in the rain against Namibia after days of frustration in Ayr
George Munsey last night stroked a maiden first-class century as Scotland’s rainravaged Intercontinental Cup clash with Namibia petered out as a tame draw.
Two full days had been lost to the weather and a further session was wiped out yesterday morning before play got under way after lunch at Ayr.
Namibia declared their first innings on the 403 for seven they had made on Tuesday before Munsey and Kyle Coetzer launched the Scottish reply.
Coetzer led the way, hitting five boundaries, before falling for 25. However, Munsey, making his first-class debut, and Calum Macleod embarked on a brilliant stand of 186 to ensure there would be no collapse.
Watsonians star Munsey was slow at first but opened out with some blistering shots including 16 boundaries.
Macleod also found his touch and looked set for a three-figure score before being stumped for 80.
However, Munsey made no mistakes and reached the century landmark with a single before the Scots closed on 223 for two. The left-hander faced 187 deliveries.
Yesterday’s draw means Scotland’s hopes of overhauling I-cup leaders Afghanistan are over. Coetzer’s men face Namibia again tomorrow in the first of two crucial World Cricket League fixtures.
In the Champions Trophy, Bangladesh produced another Cardiff victory every inch as remarkable as the 2005 triumph over Australia to keep their hopes alive and eliminate New Zealand.
Needing 266 to beat the Black Caps and remain in with a chance of a semi-final spot, Bangladesh’s reply was close to ruins after being reduced to 33 for four in the 12th over.
But Shakib Al Hasan, pictured (114), and Mahmudullah (102 not out) combined to produce the greatest partnership in Bangladesh limitedovers history.
It eclipsed the 178 shared by Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim against Pakistan in 2015 and was the second highest partnership in Champions Trophy history. Adozenyearsaftertheirfirst win over world champions Australia came at Cardiff, the pair put on 224 in 219 balls as Bangladesh turned potential embarrassment into a five-wicket win with 16 balls to spare.
Bangladesh will now hope England can beat Australia at Edgbaston today to secure their own progress to the last four.
England are in the enviable position of having already qualified for a semi-final in Cardiff next week – while Australia must win to sneak a last-four place.
Australia are still grappling with the potential distraction of an ongoing pay dispute with their employers and a deadline for resolution looming at the end of this month.
Vice-captain David Warner has been vociferous on several occasions about the players’ refusal to back down.
England captain Eoin Morgan does not believe Australia will be distracted once they take the field, but he was not averse making a quip about his fellow Indian Premier League star Warner’s likely finances.
“We’ll have whip round!” he said. “I don’t think Dave will be short.”