Game One: Oman 109 all out (10/1) v (21/0) 109/6 Namibia - Namibia WIN
Tied scores are rare, though not unknown, in cricket. In T20 internationals there have been 36 in 2,635 matches, just under 1.4% of all matches. Oman have been involved in two, both against nations beginning with N. They beat Nepal the last time they ended up in this position, but in this match Namibia prevailed.
For those unsure how a super over works, each side bowls another over and whichever team scores the most runs in the six balls, wins the match. The over is finished early if two wickets are lost.
so, how did the match get to a super over?
109 runs for a T20 suggests a cagey affair but Namibia were well on top for all but the last 6 overs of their batting period. First they bowled Oman out in the 20th over, with Trumpelmann taking 4 wickets for only 21 runs in his 4 hovers.
The response was going steadily and after 14 overs Namibia were 73-3, which left 37 left to get in 36 balls, with 7 wickets in hand. This is comfortable T20 territory and , despite losing a 4th wicket in the 18th over, it seemed the match would slide to a quiet finish.
Mehran Khan decided otherwise and took two of his three wickets in the final over, preventing Namibia from scoring the extra run needed to win the game,
And so to the Super Over. Namibia clubbed a brutal 21 from the six balls, and then restricted Oman to only 10. Had they played like that during the 20 overs, they could have been done inside six or seven and got an extra hour off.
Game Two: Sri Lanka 77 all out v 80/4 South Africa - South Africa Win
You may remember I suggested net run rate may be a significant factor in how this group plays out. I didn't anticipate the first match to be quite so decisive.
In an innings that stumbled and stuttered on a pitch which offered no demons, but little help, Sri Lanka somehow dragged themselves to the final over, only to lose their last wicket in a desperate attempt to score two runs from a shot where there was only ever one available.
Nortje bowling was outstanding of 4 wickets for 7 runs was just deserts. If the bowling coach likes to be harsh, they could point out Rabada and Baartman both managed to bowl maidens - but such a comment would be churlish indeed.
With Mendis top scoring on 19, Oman only had 3 players score double figures, while they had four manage ducks (zero runs), including a golden one (out first ball faced) for Samarawickrama.
Having seen how the pitch played South Africa looked to play steadily and, despite losing 2 wickets in the power play, progressed towards the target. there was a light wobble when another two wickets fell between 50 & 60, but Klaasen and Miller saw them home in the 17th over.
| Boundary Totals | 4's | 6's | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oman v Namibia | 19 | 4 | 23 |
| Sri Lank v South Africa | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Tournament | 81 | 38 | 119 |
Up next are three games! Afghanistan v Uganda; England v Scotland; Netherlands v Nepal.
Check back tomorrow for reviews & updated boundary totals.
text by stuartcturnbull. graphic by Mir Rammez Raja & edited by stuartcturnbull via postermywall