Craig Williams century powers Namibia to victory over Oman in World Cup League Two

Victory by 52 runs in Al Amerat comes two days after close defeat to UAE

Namibia's Craig Williams after scoring a century against Oman in the World Cup League Two. Courtesy Cricket Oman
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Craig Williams said the disappointment at their capitulation against UAE had fuelled Namibia’s powerful display in their win over Oman on Wednesday.

Williams scored the second one-day international century for Namibia, to lay the platform for their 52-run win over the hosts in Cricket World Cup League Two in Al Amerat. Namibia made 324-7 before dismissing Oman for 272.

The hefty win came two days after they had failed to chase 223 to beat UAE, a game they seemed to control.

“We had a hard chat yesterday as a team,” Williams, who scored an unbeaten 129, said.

“For good reason, our coach doesn’t hold back. We had a good heart-to-heart about the brand of cricket we would like to play.

“After doing some homework, and individuals looking at their own games, we decided to come out today and give it everything.

“We still have some things to work on, and Oman got a little too close, given the total we had on the board. But we are definitely on the right track.”

Namibia and UAE will meet again on Thursday in the national team’s final match of the tour, and Williams believes his side have learnt a lesson.

“We let UAE bowl to us, rather than us taking the game to them,” the centurion said.

“We definitely are disappointed with that. It is not the way we play. In hindsight, we should have come a little harder and put the pressure on them.

“If we had played like we played today, we would have won.”

Williams’ brutal innings, which was eventually worth 129 not out from 94 balls, was remarkable for two things.

Firstly, it came on the back of a poor run of form for him. Secondly, he started it with a crisp straight six down the ground off the first ball he faced.

“They brought everyone in,” said Williams.

“I haven’t been able to score runs for the past couple of months, so I think they did their research. The put me under pressure.

“I had chatted to the coach about trying to get rid of the fear of failure. It was either out or six.

“On this pitch, with their spinners, you are not going to get off strike. I had to make a move, I had to push them back.

“It was one of those days where it came off.

“I’ve definitely been out of form, and I’ve been looking for that bit of luck that goes your way.

“Today, being able to run down the track and hit the first ball for six, that was probably all that I needed.”