Jai Moondra takes Ireland-record 6-26 to level Namibia series

Jai Moondra set an Ireland record for one-day international bowling figures as the tourists beat Namibia by 130 runs in Windhoek to level their five-match series at 2-2. BBC Sport reported that the seamer took six wickets for 26 runs in the fourth ODI, leaving the teams to settle the series in Sunday's final match.

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Moondra's return improved on Josh Little's 6-36 against Zimbabwe in 2023, which had been Ireland's best figures in the format. The India-born 29-year-old also registered his first international five-wicket haul. He completed the victory by dismissing Jack Brassell, finishing a performance that had put Namibia under pressure early in their pursuit of 299.

Ireland had made 298-8 from their 50 overs, with debutant Tim Tector leading the scoring. Tector marked his first ODI appearance with 73 from 81 balls, while Campher contributed 66 from 50 deliveries. Smit took four wickets for 44 runs for Namibia, but Ireland still left the hosts needing almost 300 to win.

The defence began decisively, with Moondra taking three early wickets as Namibia slipped to 32-3. That start contrasted with Ireland's difficulties in two of the first three matches: Namibia had passed 300 on both occasions and won those games. Ireland had consequently entered the fourth ODI trailing 2-1, needing victory to keep the series alive.

Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann provided resistance with a partnership of 57 for the eighth wicket. Green scored 45 from 58 deliveries and Trumpelmann made 40 from 34, but Moondra dismissed both within nine balls. Namibia were eventually bowled out for 168 in 41 overs, well short of the target despite that late stand.

The win came with Mark Adair still yet to appear in the series, although the all-rounder was included in Ireland's touring squad, according to BBC Sport. With the scores now level, the tourists have taken the contest to a fifth and final match. Tector's debut contribution and Moondra's record spell were central to the turnaround that made the decider possible.