Namibia Valiant In Defeat

Namibia's Jan-Berry Burger gave England a massive World Cup scare before the minnows'lack of experience saw them go down by 55 runs in their Group A match here at St George's Parkin Port Elizabeth today.

Chasing England's 272 all out from 50 overs, Namibia creditably batted the full distance before finishing on 217for nine.

Nevertheless it was a moral victory for the World Cup new boys and a huge embarrassment for England.

Medium-pacer Rudi van Vuuren, who earlier took five wickets, symbolised Namibia's spirit by hitting the last ballof the innings from paceman James Anderson for six.

However, it was Burger who was the star of Namibia's innings. The 21-year-old, who attended the Free State Academy inSouth Africa, took the attack to the English bowlers after watching fellow opener Stephan Swanepoel fall in the fourthover with Namibia's score reading 12 for 1.

He treated all the England bowlers with disdain, adding an invaluable 97 for the third wicket with former captainDannie Keulder (46).

Burger raced through the forties hitting Craig White for four, six and two to race to his half century off just 52 balls.

It was the first time a Namibian batsman had reached the landmark in a one-day international and showed what the teamwas capable of with the bat after they were dismissed for 84 during their 171-run loss to Pakistan at Kimberley on Sunday.

With dark clouds hovering over the ground, the Namibians were at several stages on the brink of victory because theywere ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis formula which decides the outcome of rain-affected matches.

White, however, had the last laugh when Burger miscued a drive and was well caught at extra cover by Paul Collingwoodfor 85, which came off 86 balls, including a six and nine fours.

Keulder added another 35 runs with Gavin Murgatroyd before he ran himself out with the asking rate rising.

Murgatroyd was then bowled for 24 by Ronnie Irani who restored order for England by taking three for 30 in 8overs.

When England batted van Vuuren, who has represented his country in both the rugby and cricket World Cups, registeredthe first five-wicket haul at this level for the Africans with five for 43.

England, who forfeited four points by refusing to play in Zimbabwe, started the match on the wrong note with captainNasser Hussain ruled out due to a stiff neck, Essex team-mate Irani taking his place.

Van Vuuren, a 30-year-old doctor, dismissed Nick Knight in his third over and Michael Vaughan in his sixth over toleave England at 43 for two.

It was left to stand-in captain Alec Stewart and Marcus Trescothick to consolidate with a stand of 78 for the thirdwicket.

Burger dismissed Trescothick for 58, while Deon Kotze removed Stewart for 60.

Van Vuuren then took three wickets in his last over as England were bowled out with the final delivery of the 50thover.

AFP