The honours were quite even between North West and Namibia towards the end of the first day's play of their Cricket South Africa three-day match in Windhoek on Thursday.

After 85 overs, North West had reached 280 runs for the loss of seven wickets with Cliffe Deacon not out on 80.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and were soon in trouble as they lost their first two wickets for only 26 runs on the board.

Jason Davidson dismissed Kagiso Rapulana for a duck, while Louis Klazinga clean-bowled Rassie van der Dussen for 12 runs.

Thando Bula however led a fine revival for North West, before he was eventually out, off Christi Viljoen's bowling for 80, which came off 110 balls and included 10 fours and two sixes.

Viljoen also dismissed Kyllin Vardhan for 17, while Davison bowled Andries Huisamen for 12.

When Sarel Burger dismissed Dwaine Pretorius for two, North West were struggling at 163 for six wickets, but they made a fine comeback, led by Deacon and Dale Deeb. They added 104 runs for the seventh wicket before Craig Williams had Deeb caught behind for 57 runs.

After 87 overs, North West had reached 278 runs for seven wickets with Deacon not out on 80 and Aaron Phangiso not out on five.

Namibia's best bowlers were Christi Viljoen, who took two wickets for 42 runs and Jason Davidson who took two for 45 runs.

Louis Klazinga, Sarel Burger and Craig Williams each took one wicket.

The match continues today and tomorrow while the two teams will play a T20 match on Sunday.