Ireland make history with Namibia win

Ireland have become the first team to have won three ICC Intercontinental Cups in a row after a Niall O'Brien century helped …

Ireland have become the first team to have won three ICC Intercontinental Cups in a row after a Niall O'Brien century helped them to victory over Namibia at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth.

Needing just 67 runs to win this morning when chasing a target of 201, Ireland pair O'Brien and Cusack were rarely troubled as they led their side to a nine-wicket victory.

O'Brien left himself on the verge of the first century of the final when finishing up on 77 last night and made short working of securing his third ton of the tournament, totalling 119 off 165 balls.

Ireland 's openers set about their task with a steely determination yesterday. O'Brien and William Porterfield put on 68 for the first wicket and it really seemed to break the spirit of the Namibians.

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Even though Ireland has not managed to get past 200 against Namibia in the 2007-08 edition of this tournament, the Africans did not bowl with the same verve or consistency as they had prevuiously.

At the close, Ireland had moved on to 134-1 with Porterfield having lobbed a simple catch for Bjorn Kotze at mid-on for 34 before Cusack came in and erased any thoughts Namibia might have had of a comeback.

Cusack batted superbly in the first innings making an unbeaten 95 and he took off where he left off second time around, watching and waiting for the bad ball before pouncing and sending it to the boundary rope. At the close he had moved on to 19 not out and he added another 20 when he resumed this morning.