Jai Moondra breaks Ireland ODI record with 6-26 in Namibia win

Jai Moondra took 6-26 as Ireland defeated Namibia by 130 runs in Windhoek, levelling their five-match one-day international series at 2-2. BBC Sport reported that the seamer's figures were the best recorded by an Ireland bowler in ODI cricket, surpassing Josh Little's 6-36 against Zimbabwe in 2023. The result sets up a series decider on Sunday.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3v3VOp4OjU

Ireland made 298-8 from their 50 overs before dismissing Namibia for 168 in 41 overs. Moondra took three early wickets to reduce the hosts to 32-3, putting pressure on a batting side that had passed 300 twice in the first three matches. Namibia had won both of those high-scoring games to take a 2-1 series lead.

The hosts found some resistance through Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann, who added 57 for the eighth wicket. Green scored 45 from 58 balls and Trumpelmann made 40 from 34. Moondra dismissed both within a nine-delivery spell to secure his first international five-wicket haul, then removed Jack Brassell to complete the victory. The 29-year-old has now taken 10 wickets across the opening four matches.

Earlier, Tim Tector marked his ODI debut with 73 from 81 balls after Ireland were asked to bat. Tector, who had previously played eight T20 internationals, reached his half-century in 64 deliveries before increasing his scoring rate. His innings included seven fours and three sixes as he took the opening place left vacant by captain Paul Stirling.

Stirling is missing the remainder of the series after suffering a broken finger in the third match, according to BBC Sport. Lorcan Tucker led Ireland in his absence and lost the toss. Tim Tector is the younger brother of middle-order batter Harry Tector, and his debut innings gave Ireland their highest individual score of the match.

Curtis Campher contributed 66 from 50 balls, following his century in Tuesday's defeat, before being caught by Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus. George Dockrell finished unbeaten on 47, while Smit took 4-44 for the hosts. Those batting contributions helped Ireland set a target of 299, which Moondra's record performance ensured Namibia could not reach.