Stirling and Hoey lead Ireland to 55-run win in Namibia ODI opener

Ireland secured their first one-day international victory since May 2025 by beating Namibia by 55 runs in Windhoek, according to BBC Sport NI. Captain Paul Stirling made 56 before Gavin Hoey returned figures of 3-29, helping the visitors defend 229-9 and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Namibia were dismissed for 174 in 37.5 overs.

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Stirling's innings gave Ireland an important contribution at the top of the order after Namibia won the toss and chose to field. He faced 71 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, to end a run of 17 international innings without a half-century. It was his highest ODI score since making 89 against Zimbabwe in February 2025, following a series against Afghanistan in which he had not reached 30.

Nicol Loftie-Eaton was Namibia's most successful bowler, taking 4-36. The all-rounder removed Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell as Ireland finished their 50 overs with nine wickets down. His four-wicket return helped keep the target to 230, leaving Namibia with an opportunity to begin the series with a home victory.

Ireland's attack then broke through after Namibia's openers had added 48. Jai Moondra dismissed Michael van Lingen and finished with 2-27 from eight overs, taking on the opening-bowler role in the absence of Mark Adair. Hoey supplied three wickets, continuing the encouraging form he had shown against Afghanistan, while Dockrell contributed two wickets for 22 runs.

Dockrell, selected at number seven ahead of Ben Calitz, moved to within one wicket of Kevin O'Brien's Ireland ODI record of 114. Namibia received a late contribution from number eight Ruben Trumpelmann, who made 50 from 43 balls, but his half-century could not rescue the chase. Ireland took all 10 wickets with more than 12 overs of Namibia's allocation unused.

The result gave Gary Wilson's side a winning start after a 4-0 series defeat by Afghanistan in August. The Namibia trip is the second of three 50-over series being used to prepare Ireland for next year's World Cup qualifiers, with Ed Joyce now serving as batting coach. The teams meet again in Windhoek on Saturday.