NAM vs IRE 5th ODI 2026: Smit 4/20, Namibia Win Series 3-2
Published on November 1, 2026
Summary Overview: Namibia beat Ireland by 5 wickets in the series decider in Windhoek to win the five-match ODI series 3-2. Player of the Match JJ Smit took 4 for 20 as Ireland were bowled out for 129, and captain Gerhard Erasmus was Player of the Series with 263 runs and 4 wickets.
Who won? Namibia, by 5 wickets with 172 balls to spare at the Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek. Ireland were bowled out for 129 in 33.1 overs, and Namibia reached 131 for 5 in 21.2 overs.
Who won the series? Namibia, 3-2. It was the first ODI series ever played between the two teams.
Who starred? All-rounder JJ Smit took 4 for 20 in nine overs, including three wickets in four balls, and was named Player of the Match. Jack Brassell took 3 for 15, and Louren Steenkamp top-scored in the chase with 46.
Who was Player of the Series? Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, with 263 runs and 4 wickets, including his unbeaten 156 in the second ODI.
The Story: Namibia Finish Strong
Ireland won the first-ever ODI between the two sides by 55 runs. Namibia hit back to win the second and third, Ireland levelled with a 130-run win in the fourth, and it all came down to Sunday.
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 wickets when it chases down the target; "5 wickets" means Namibia had five of their ten wickets left.
Ireland's Innings: Three Wickets in Four Balls
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker won the toss and chose to bat, but Namibia's bowlers controlled the innings from the start. Ruben Trumpelmann removed Tim Tector early, Max Heingo had Andrew Balbirnie caught behind, and Ireland made just 25 in the first 10 overs.
Cade Carmichael (27) and Harry Tector (21) fought, and Tucker hit two sixes in a quick 20 off 14. At 84 for 3 in the 23rd over, Ireland had a platform.
Then JJ Smit struck three times in four balls. He caught and bowled Tucker, then trapped Curtis Campher and George Dockrell lbw, both for ducks. Ireland were 84 for 6.
Jordan Neill hit back with 33 off 25, but Jack Brassell trapped him lbw and then removed Jai Moondra, while Smit had Gavin Hoey caught. Ireland were all out for 129. Smit finished with 4 for 20 and Brassell 3 for 15.
Namibia's Chase: Steenkamp Leads, Erasmus Finishes Strongly
Louren Steenkamp and Michael van Lingen (15) put on 40, and Namibia were 61 for 1 after 10 overs. Matthew Humphreys bowled Jan Frylinck and then ran out Steenkamp for 46 off 44, but captain Gerhard Erasmus hit 30 off 18 to take Namibia close.
Humphreys bowled Erasmus and Gavin Hoey caught and bowled Malan Kruger, but Zane Green (11 not out off 4) and Willem Myburgh saw Namibia home in the 22nd over.
Turning Point: Smit's Burst
At 84 for 3, Ireland had a platform to build a competitive total. Smit's three wickets in four balls, removing the captain and two of Ireland's most experienced batters, turned the decider. Ireland added only 45 more runs.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| JJ Smit | Namibia | 4 for 20 (9 overs, 3 maidens), Player of the Match |
| Jack Brassell | Namibia | 3 for 15 (6.1 overs) |
| Louren Steenkamp | Namibia | 46 (44), 6 fours, 1 six |
| Gerhard Erasmus (c) | Namibia | 30 (18), Player of the Series |
| Jordan Neill | Ireland | 33 (25), 4 fours, 1 six |
| Cade Carmichael | Ireland | 27 (57) |
| Matthew Humphreys | Ireland | 2 for 48, and a run-out |
How the Game Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Ireland's slow start | 25 for 1 (10 overs) |
| Ireland's platform | 84 for 3 (22 overs) |
| Smit's three in four balls | 84 for 3 to 84 for 6 |
| Ireland all out | 129 (33.1 overs) |
| Namibia's opening stand | 40 for the 1st wicket |
| Humphreys strikes back | 68 for 1 to 74 for 3 |
| Namibia win | 131 for 5 (21.2 overs) |
Powerplay Comparison
| Team | First 10 overs |
| Ireland | 25 for 1 |
| Namibia | 61 for 1 |
Player of the Series: Gerhard Erasmus
Namibia's captain led from the front all series, finishing with 263 runs and 4 wickets.
| Match | Batting | Bowling |
| 1st ODI | 22 | Did not take a wicket |
| 2nd ODI | 156* | 2 for 13 |
| 3rd ODI | 54 | 1 for 21 |
| 4th ODI | 1 | 1 for 27 |
| 5th ODI | 30 | Did not take a wicket |
| Total | 263 runs | 4 wickets |
* not out
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| Namibia | Michael van Lingen, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Malan Kruger, Zane Green (wk), JJ Smit, Willem Myburgh, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Max Heingo |
| Ireland | Andrew Balbirnie, Tim Tector, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c, wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Jordan Neill, Jai Moondra, Matthew Humphreys |
Changes: Namibia brought in Michael van Lingen, Willem Myburgh and Max Heingo for Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Alexander Volschenk and Bernard Scholtz. Ireland brought in Gavin Hoey for Liam McCarthy.
Series Results
| Match | Venue | Result |
| 1st ODI | High Performance Oval, Windhoek | Ireland won by 55 runs |
| 2nd ODI | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Namibia won by 31 runs |
| 3rd ODI | High Performance Oval, Windhoek | Namibia won by 63 runs |
| 4th ODI | High Performance Oval, Windhoek | Ireland won by 130 runs |
| 5th ODI | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek | Namibia won by 5 wickets |
Final series score: Namibia 3, Ireland 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Namibia vs Ireland ODI series 2026?
- Namibia, 3-2.
Who won the 5th ODI?
- Namibia, by 5 wickets with 172 balls to spare.
Who was Player of the Match in the decider?
- JJ Smit, for his 4 for 20.
Who was Player of the Series?
- Gerhard Erasmus, with 263 runs and 4 wickets.
What was the highest score of the series?
- Gerhard Erasmus's 156 not out in the 2nd ODI.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Namibia vs Ireland 3rd ODI 2026: Jan Frylinck's 126 Puts Namibia 2-1 Up
📋 Namibia vs Ireland 2nd ODI 2026: Gerhard Erasmus Hits 156 Not Out as Namibia Level the Series
📋 Namibia vs Ireland 1st ODI 2026: Gavin Hoey's Three Wickets Give Ireland a 55-Run Win