Ireland vs Namibia Live ஸ்கோர், 2nd ODI of Ireland tour of Namibia, 2026

That's a wrap - That brings us to the end of an entertaining contest, with Namibia making it all square in the five-match series. Both teams will now be eager to seize the advantage and take the lead when they meet again in the third ODI. That game will be played on 27th October, Tuesday, at 7.30 am GMT, but as always, you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - No prizes for guessing this one, as it is Namibia's skipper, Gerhard Erasmus, for his brilliant 156 off 125 and 2/13(3.3) with the ball as well. Erasmus says he was pleased with the foundation he and Jan Frylinck laid with their partnership, noting that Frylinck had to come in early and steady the ship. He adds that several players contributed towards the end, something Namibia knew would be important at a ground where runs can be difficult to contain in the closing overs. On Jack Brassell's four-wicket haul, Erasmus says the pacer has bowled phenomenally well at times but has occasionally let himself down with erratic spells. He believes Brassell has a high ceiling and acknowledges that Namibia might not have won the game without his four wickets. Reflecting on the tense finish, Erasmus admits his side switched off when they had an opportunity to kill the game off. He says it was disappointing as captain that nobody stepped up when needed, particularly at a ground where defending runs can be difficult. With the game slipping away, he took matters into his own hands to finish the job. Speaking about his knock, Erasmus says he focused on steadying the innings before accelerating, admitting that his first 60-70 runs did not come as smoothly as he would have liked. Once he reached his century, he looked to capitalise by playing around with the bowlers' lengths. He also recalls making his debut against Ireland 16 years ago, reflecting on how special the fixture remains, having faced the likes of William Porterfield and Ed Joyce, who are now coaches. Erasmus adds that, as a senior figure in the side, he knows he needs to keep contributing with the bat.

The captain of Ireland - Paul Stirling opens by noting that 321 was a strong total, pointing out that the primary difference between the two sides was Gerhard Erasmus' magnificent 150. Despite the result, the skipper expresses pride in his team's resilience, highlighting how they fought fiercely until the final ball in an effort to snatch victory. Reflecting on their run chase, Paul acknowledges that losing a cluster of middle-order wickets proved costly. He notes that if the top and middle order had chipped in with even a few more runs, they likely would have chased the target down, given the impressive fight and form shown by their lower order. He concluded with optimism, assuring that the team will address these lapses and come back stronger in the third match of the series.

Presentation Time...

Namibia's bowlers deliver - Namibia had to be patient with the ball and showed good discipline, with the breakthrough finally coming through some brilliant fielding from Malan Kruger. Jack Brassell was the most impactful bowler, consistently breaking partnerships whenever they threatened to build, finishing with an excellent 4/52. Max Heingo and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton chipped in with a wicket apiece to push Namibia closer to victory, but things got a little tense towards the end. With Ireland threatening a late fightback, skipper Gerhard Erasmus rolled his arm over and delivered the crucial blows to seal a hard-fought win for his side.

Erasmus leads Namibia's charge - Namibia posted a commanding total earlier, led by a magnificent century from skipper Gerhard Erasmus, who remained unbeaten on 156 off 125 balls. Jan Frylinck provided excellent support with a fine 76, sharing a 117-run stand with his captain before Erasmus and Alexander Volschenk finished the innings in style, with the latter smashing a quick-fire 30 off 20 balls. Gavin Hoey was the pick of Ireland's bowlers with a three-wicket haul, while Jai Moondra, Byron McDonough and Curtis Campher chipped in with one apiece. However, Ireland will be disappointed with their death bowling, conceding 111 runs in the final 10 overs as Namibia added a hefty dose of late impetus.

Ireland fall short despite the fight - Ireland began the chase steadily, with the openers taking their time while keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their 54-run stand was broken by an unfortunate moment, but Paul Stirling kept the momentum going with another 44-run partnership alongside Cade Carmichael. However, the regular loss of wickets at the other end hurt Ireland, and despite a fine 77 off 71 after being given a couple of lives, Stirling eventually fell, leaving them reeling at 125/5. Curtis Campher and George Dockrell then mounted a recovery with an 85-run stand, but Campher's somewhat controversial dismissal for 45 swung the momentum back Namibia's way. Dockrell fought on with 48, while Jai Moondra and Gavin Hoey added a spirited 58-run stand to revive Ireland's hopes, only for the Namibian skipper to snuff them out with a couple of crucial wickets.

Hosts hold their nerve to draw level - Namibia respond in style to level the series at 1-1, with skipper Gerhard Erasmus at the heart of their victory. His magnificent century laid the foundation for a formidable total before he returned with the ball to pick up a couple of crucial wickets and help his side get over the line. Things got a little too close for comfort towards the end, but the hosts held their nerve when it mattered most. Ireland showed plenty of fight, but a few missed opportunities at crucial moments proved costly, as they found no way to keep Erasmus quiet and ultimately fell short in the chase.

OUT! TAKEN! Two wickets in a single over to wrap things up in this contest, as Namibia have beaten Ireland by 31 runs and have leveled the series for the time being. Flatter and shorter delivery, right on middle. Hoey backs away to create room and swings hard for the pull. But he gets a steep top-edge that flies high over short fine leg. Jack Brassell turns, puts his head down, and sprints over his right shoulder towards the boundary before snatching a sensational two-handed catch over his head.

Short, turning down the leg side, Byron McDonough misses his flick and it brushes off the thigh pads toward backward square leg for leg bye.

Byron McDonough is the last man in.

This is a big call from the skipper to bring himself into the attack at this stage.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The skipper steps up to break this dangerous partnership. Pitches it up, fuller, offering a bit of flight, slower through the air, around off. Jai Moondra goes deep into the crease, trying to punch it downtown, but fails to time it right as he ends up hitting it flat and straight to the bowler, and Gerhard Erasmus makes no mistake in pouching the catch.

WIDE! Short of a length, outside off, turning away from the batter, beyond the tramline. Jai Moondra makes a leave.

Gerhard Erasmus is back on.

Nials a yorker, wide outside off. Gavin Hoey tries to scoop it over short third but gets beaten.

Angling down the leg side, on a good length. Jai Moondra misses his flick and wears on the pad before it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.

Short of a length, on middle, Jai Moondra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Cheeky little shot from Moondra! Bangs a bouncer, over middle. Jai Moondra arches backward and upper cuts it over keeper for the boundary.

Slower one, on a good length, nipping it away. Jai Moondra fails to heave it across the line.

Short of a length, on off, Jai Moondra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

43 runs needed in 24 balls now. Ireland are still alive in this game as long as Gavin Hoey is out there.

SIX! This man is on a mission! Full-length delivery, just outside off. Gavin Hoey plants his front foot toward the leg side of the delivery and launches it downtown for six more runs.

Fuller, angling down the leg side, Gavin Hoey flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short of a length, outside off, Gavin Hoey tries to pull it away, but gets the top edge, and drops safly to deep fine leg for a brace.

SIX! What a hit from Hoey! Bangs a bouncer, over off, Gavin Hoey rocks back and whacks it over wide long on for half a dozen.

On a length, outside off, Jai Moondra tries to hit it across, but gets the inside edge before the ball rolls to deep third for a single.

Much fuller, wide outside off, Jai Moondra tries to punch it away, crouching down, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! Good hit! Fuller delivery, on middle. Gavin Hoey clears his front leg and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Nails the wide yorker, outside off, but just inside the tramline. Gavin Hoey throws his hands at it but misses.