Venue: Grainville
Date: Sunday 28th July 2013
Toss: Won by Nigeria
Match Tyne: 50 Overs
Result: Nigeria won with 8 wickets
Umpire: RJ. Bailey, ME Grady
3rd Umpire: RL Stockton
Score: KC Nisbet, CN Rawson
Referee: DT Jukes
Weather: Cloudy then sunny.
NEXT STOP MALAYSIA
At last the wait is over. Nigeria have landed on the moon. Following an eight- wicket victory over Argentina, the team made history as the first-ever Nigerian team to qualify for ICC Division 5. The match with Argentina began on Saturday’s (27-7-2013) glorious morning sunshine, had to be postponed until Sunday after prolonged periods of rain. Nigeria had to attempt to recreate all the good work from the previous day as they yet again bowled first in the match.
Nigeria was all over Argentina, as their rampant bowlers wrecked havoc on the hapless Argentine batsmen. Seye Olympio in an inspired bust of high-class, fast medium pace swing bowling reduced Argentina to 10 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the fourth over. More torment was to come for Argentina as the Nigerian bowlers were relentless in their quest for wickets. Saheed Akolade, Kunle Adegbola and Leke Oyede were on top of their game with the ball.
At 26 runs for 6 wickets, Argentina looked dead and buried. The innings and the match looked to have a quick end, and Argentina launched a gutsy rearguard action. The quartet of Patterlins (48) (leading the way) irigoyen (39) Macdermott 34 and Dugaun 22 combined to defy Nigeria and too the score to 185 runs.
it was frustration for the Nigerian team who suddenly realized they have a game in their hands.
Nigeria began their quest for victory and promotion with the pair of Segun Olayinka and Endurance Ofem. Ofem was his usual circumspect self and he took 21 balls to score 4 runs before being caught.
At 25 for 1, Ademola Onikoyi came in with a mission to redeem himself and played a cameo innings. He hit the first 2 balls he received for successful fours as he played freely with murderous intents. His cameo of E35 runs lasted 32 baits before he was caught.
Nigeria was poised at 89 runs for 2 wickets when Ricky Sharma came to the crease. Segun Olayinka innings at the other end was flowering. Olayinka simply opened up and plundered the Argentine bowling. Olayinka cut, pulled and drove with aplomb. Yasphal Sharma at the other end was a perfect foil.
Playing the anchor role and keeping the score ticking along. Sharma as usual employed the sweep shot to perfect and maximum use. Olayinka inning of 90 unbeaten glorious runs was decorated with 6 sixes. Nigeria won in a canter strolling to the 186 runs target with nearly 20 overs to spare. When Olayinka scored the winning boundary the celebration began truly for Nigeria.
At last, the wait is truly over.
