Jason Rowles claimed an incredible five-wicket haul to set up South Africa U19’s 10-wicket win over Cricket Namibia in the opening game of their three-match 50-over series in Windhoek.

The slow left-arm spinner sent down six overs in which he returned five wickets for just eight runs. Thirty-one out of his 36 deliveries were dots, with his figures key to rolling over the hosts for 95 at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

Adnaan Lagadien then plundered nine fours and a six in a dashing unbeaten 65 off 47 balls to help the away side chase down their target inside 12 overs and go 1-0 up in the series. Match two takes place on Wednesday.

Before that, the Junior Proteas will take full pride in this win after delivering a complete performance from the time they won the toss and bowled, right through until the end.

Fit-again Lions fast bowler JJ Bason (2-32) struck in the third over when he got rid of Muller Michael for a duck, before possibly the only passage of play that went well for the Namibians over the next 10 overs.

This was when Zacheo Jansen van Vuuren struck a top score of 41 and put on 41 with Malan Morkel (10) for the second wicket, allowing their side to reach 49-1.

But Ntando Soni (1-22) then began the slide by dismissing the latter, with the former following just under three overs later when he was removed by another Dolphins player, Bandile Mbatha (1-9).

The slide continued as Rowles worked his magic and no other Namibia player managed to reach double figures. In the end they collapsed and were all out in 28 overs, which included losing nine wickets for 46 runs.

Lagadien was then in no mood to hang around, and together with Jorich van Schalkwyk (23* off 25 balls), chased down the target with 38.1 overs to spare.

Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images