Erasmus' 156 not out helps Namibia level ODI series against Ireland

An unbeaten 156 from Gerhard Erasmus helped Namibia level their five-game one-day international series against Ireland at one win apiece.

In Windhoek, the captain of Namibia twice took the game away from the tourists, and his team won by 31 runs.

First, a career-best effort with the bat helped set an imposing total of 321. After that, the 31-year-old took the game's final two wickets as Ireland's tail looked like it might end an unlikely chase.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and, having put the hosts into bat, saw his bowling attack struggle, especially in the death overs.

Byron McDonough took a wicket with the first ball of his spell, again without leading seamer Mark Adair, but ended up with 1-71. Curtis Campher's 10 overs were also costly as he finished with 1-74.

The best of the bunch was spinner Gavin Hoey, who took the same three wickets as in Wednesday's victory and finished with figures of 3-53.

As they set about chasing 322, Stirling's uptick in form continued with a second half-century of the series, with a knock of 77 from 71 deliveries.

However, his wicket, leg before off the bowling of Jack Brassell, ended a spell where three batters were dismissed for the addition of just six runs.

Brassell scored 4-52 to lead the Namibia bowlers, who also included Campher, George Dockrell, and Lorcan Tucker.

Hoey and Jai Moondra's ninth-wicket partnership of 58 brought Ireland within striking distance, but when Moondra was run out for 20, caught and bowled by Erasmus, any hopes of victory were quickly dashed.

On Tuesday, Ireland will play match three in Windhoek as they continue their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers next year.