John Blain last night brought Scotland back from the dead on a sensational opening day of their Intercontinental Cup clash with Namibia in Windhoek.

Blain, voted the Saltires all-rounder of the year in 2007, showed the skills that earned him the accolade in a magnificent one-man show.

The former Yorkshire star's heroics with bat and ball first spared the Scots' blushes following a calamitous top order collapse.

A devastating opening burst with the ball then gave his side an unlikely initiative as Scotland launched an astonishing fightback to claim the first innings bonus points.

Blain's top score of 34 and five wickets were also enough to save Pete Steindl from a disastrous baptism on his competitive debut as coach.

It had looked bleak for Steindl when his side slumped to 48-5 at lunch after winning the toss and electing to bat.

But Blain and Gavin Hamilton showed real resilience in tricky batting conditions.

With wickets falling at the other end, ex-Yorkshire all-rounder Hamilton dug in to grind out what proved to be a crucial 32 runs from 101 balls.

Blain responded to his old county colleague's rearguard action by stroking 34 from 76 balls as the Scots rallied to post 140.

It was a lifeline for the tourists and Blain grabbed it by claiming wickets with the first two deliveries of Namibia's reply.

First he took a sharp return catch to remove the normally big-hitting Jan-Berrie Burger and next ball he ripped through the defences of Sarel Burger to send the stumps flying.

Blain feasted on his third Burger when he had Sarel's brother Louis caught by Majid Haq while he also clean bowled Gerrie Snyman to reduce the shellshocked Namibians to 36-4.

The former Penicuik paceman went on to finish with 5-43 while Craig Wright weighed-in with 4-38 as Scotland skittled their rivals for 115.

Scotland received a setback before the start of play when seam bowler Dewald Nel was ruled out after developing a sickness bug overnight.

Their decision to bat first on a wicket affected by recent heavy rain raised eyebrows but Steindl praised his men for refusing to throw in the towel.

He said: "It was a very tough day especially for our batters on a challenging pitch and against a good attack.

"But the lads fought hard and then bowled and fielded extremely well. Blainy showed his value to the side and we're delighted to take a first innings lead."