Seamer Jai Moondra delivered the best ever bowling figures for an Ireland player in one-day international cricket as the tourists secured a comprehensive 130-run victory over Namibia in Windhoek. The win levelled the five-game series at 2-2 ahead of Sunday’s decider.
Moondra Makes History with Six-Wicket Haul
Moondra finished with remarkable figures of 6-26 in Windhoek, eclipsing Josh Little’s previous record of 6-36 against Zimbabwe set in 2023. Ireland’s bowling attack had struggled in the opening three matches, allowing Namibia to pass 300 twice and trail 2-1 in the series without the services of leading all-rounder Mark Adair.
However, Moondra turned the match by removing three early batters to reduce the hosts to 32-3. Although Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann provided late resistance through a 57-run partnership for the eighth wicket, Moondra dismissed both players within nine deliveries to secure his maiden international five-wicket haul. The India-born 29-year-old then sealed the victory by taking the wicket of Jack Brassell.
Solid Batting Performance Sets Up Victory
Stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker lost the toss and was asked to bat first after regular skipper Paul Stirling was ruled out of the rest of the series due to a broken finger suffered in the third match. Tim Tector stepped in to open the innings in place of Stirling, making his ODI debut after previously earning eight T20 caps.
The younger brother of Harry Tector took time to adapt to the format before bringing up his maiden half-century off 64 balls, eventually finishing with 73 runs from 81 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes. Curtis Campher maintained his strong form by scoring 66 from 50 balls, building on his century from earlier in the week, before being dismissed by a catch from home captain Gerhard Erasmus. Campher maintained an average of 55 across eight ODIs in 2026, receiving strong support from George Dockrell, who remained unbeaten on 47 to guide Ireland to 298-8 from 50 overs.
Namibia were bowled out for 168 in 41 overs, with Green top-scoring with 45 and Trumpelmann adding 40, before Moondra’s historic spell wrapped up the victory.
