Ireland edge first day against Namibia

CRICKET:Ireland just about edged the first day of their Intercontinental Cup decider against Namibia, reducing the African side to 241 for nine in their first innings at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

It could have been a lot better for Phil Simmons' side, who are chasing a hat-trick of titles, after they lost the toss and were put in to field.

They proceeded to reduce Namibia to 119 for six, before a 91-run stand between Louis Burger and Bjorn Kotze brought them past the 200 mark.

Boyd Rankin ended the stand, trapping Kotze leg-before after he made 43 to claim his second wicket, while fellow opening bowler Peter Connell took two wickets in the space of four balls to leave Namibia on 212 for nine.

It was Connell's fourth wicket of the innings but his day would end on a sour note as Kola Burger hit him for four boundaries in the penultimate over to finish undefeated on 72.

Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman both hit double centuries as India all but batted Australia out of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Delhi today.

Gambhir hit 206 — the maiden double century of his career — and Laxman made an unbeaten 200 before India declared their first innings on 613 for seven.

Australia openers Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich made a determined start to their reply, ending the second day on 50 for no loss.

Hayden, who has managed a meagre 42 runs in the first two Tests, was on 16 not out at stumps with Katich on 29, the duo having successfully seen off 15 overs from the India bowlers, including seven overs of probing spin.

Gambhir slammed 26 fours and a six, before being bowled by Shane Watson, four and a half sessions after he first came out to bat. His partnership with Laxman yielded 278 runs in 72.1 overs.

Laxman reached his double century by clubbing Michael Clarke for two over mid-on and India skipper Anil Kumble declared immediately after. Laxman's previous double century — 281 at Kolkata — also came against the world champions.

Ireland v Namibia - Day 1:Namibia 1st Inns 241-9 (90 ovs) (L Burger 72no, B Kotze 43; P Connell 4-51, B Rankin 2-62).