NAM vs IRE 1st ODI 2026: Ireland Win by 55 Runs in Windhoek
Published on October 22, 2026
Summary Overview: Ireland beat Namibia by 55 runs in the 1st ODI in Windhoek, the first men's ODI between the two sides. Paul Stirling hit 56 and Player of the Match Gavin Hoey took 3 for 29.
Who won? Ireland, by 55 runs at the High Performance Oval, Windhoek. They made 229 for 9, and Namibia were bowled out for 174 in 37.5 overs.
Who starred? Leg-spinner Gavin Hoey took 3 for 29 and was named Player of the Match. Captain Paul Stirling top-scored with 56. For Namibia, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton took 4 for 36, and Ruben Trumpelmann hit 50.
Why is it historic? It was the first men's ODI ever played between Namibia and Ireland.
What's next? Ireland lead the five-match series 1-0. The 2nd ODI is on Saturday, October 24 at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Match Report: Ireland's Spinners Win It
For readers new to cricket: in a One Day International (ODI), each team bats for up to 50 overs (an over is six legal deliveries). A team wins by runs when it bats first and the other side cannot reach its total.
Ireland's Innings: Stirling Sets the Base, Loftie-Eaton Strikes Back
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus won the toss and chose to bowl. Ireland's openers started well, with Andrew Balbirnie (20) and Paul Stirling putting on 70 before Bernard Scholtz removed Balbirnie.
Stirling made 56 off 71 balls with eight fours and a six, and Cade Carmichael (45) and Harry Tector (28) kept the innings moving. At 200 for 5 in the 44th over, Ireland were set for a total of around 250.
Instead, Namibia fought back. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, better known as a hard-hitting batter, took 4 for 36 with the ball, removing Stirling, Tector, Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell. Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit and Jack Brassell chipped in at the end, and Ireland lost four wickets for 27 runs to finish on 229 for 9.
Namibia's Chase: A Collapse, Then Trumpelmann's Fightback
Namibia started brightly. Michael van Lingen (23 off 22) and Louren Steenkamp (26) put on 48 for the first wicket. Then Ireland's spinners took over.
Jai Moondra removed van Lingen, Gavin Hoey struck twice, and Curtis Campher bowled Zane Green. Loftie-Eaton was run out, George Dockrell trapped Erasmus lbw for 22, and Namibia collapsed from 48 for 0 to 110 for 7 in the 25th over.
Ruben Trumpelmann refused to give up. He hit three sixes in a fighting 50 off 43 balls, adding 37 with Waldo Smith. But Hoey removed Smith, Moondra bowled Scholtz, and Liam McCarthy finally bowled Trumpelmann to end the match at 174.
Turning Point: Namibia's Middle-Order Collapse
At 48 for 0 in the ninth over, chasing 230, Namibia were in control. They then lost seven wickets for 62 runs, with Ireland's slow bowlers squeezing the runs and the wickets falling steadily. Hoey's two quick strikes, Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck, started the slide.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Gavin Hoey | Ireland | 3 for 29 (9 overs), Player of the Match |
| Paul Stirling (c) | Ireland | 56 (71), 8 fours, 1 six |
| Cade Carmichael | Ireland | 45 (80) |
| Jai Moondra | Ireland | 2 for 27 (8 overs) |
| George Dockrell | Ireland | 2 for 22 (4 overs) |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | Namibia | 4 for 36 (9 overs) |
| Ruben Trumpelmann | Namibia | 50 (43), 4 fours, 3 sixes |
| JJ Smit | Namibia | 2 for 47 (10 overs) |
| Bernard Scholtz | Namibia | 1 for 37 (10 overs) |
How the Game Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Ireland opening stand | 70 for the 1st wicket |
| Ireland well placed | 200 for 5 (43.4 overs) |
| Namibia's late fightback | 200 for 5 to 227 for 9 |
| Ireland final total | 229 for 9 (50 overs) |
| Namibia's fast start | 48 for 0 (8.3 overs) |
| The collapse | 48 for 0 to 110 for 7 |
| Trumpelmann and Smith stand | 37 for the 8th wicket |
| Namibia all out | 174 (37.5 overs) |
Powerplay Comparison
| Team | First 10 overs |
| Ireland | 56 for 0 |
| Namibia | 55 for 1 |
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| Namibia | Michael van Lingen, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green (wk), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JJ Smit, Waldo Smith, Jack Brassell, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz |
| Ireland | Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra |
Bench: Namibia: Alexander Volschenk, Malan Kruger, Jan Balt, Max Heingo, Junior Taanyanda. Ireland: Ben Calitz, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Byron McDonough, Jordan Neill.
What's Next
| Match | Date | Venue | Local (CAT) | Ireland | IST | Pakistan | ET |
| 2nd ODI | Sat, Oct 24 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 AM |
| 3rd ODI | Tue, Oct 27 | High Performance Oval, Windhoek | 10:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 AM |
| 4th ODI | Fri, Oct 30 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | 10:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 AM |
| 5th ODI | Sun, Nov 1 | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | 10:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 3:00 AM |
Local time is Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2). Ireland moves from Irish Standard Time (UTC+1) to GMT on October 25. IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). Pakistan is on PKT (UTC+5). ET is US Eastern Time: Daylight Time until November 1, then Standard Time. The 1st ODI started 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, at 9:30 AM local time, so check start times closer to each match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Namibia vs Ireland 1st ODI 2026?
- Ireland, by 55 runs at the High Performance Oval, Windhoek.
Who was Player of the Match?
- Gavin Hoey, for his 3 for 29.
Who top-scored?
- Paul Stirling made 56 for Ireland, and Ruben Trumpelmann 50 for Namibia.
Was this the first ODI between Namibia and Ireland?
- Yes. It was the first men's ODI ever played between the two teams.
When is the 2nd ODI?
- Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Namibia vs Ireland ODI Series 2026: Schedule, Squads and Times
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