Bertus de Jong 18:41
Well that’s it for the live coverage from us this season. HCC pulling open the perhaps rather rusty-hinged but well-filled silverware cupboard to add another Topklasse trophy, while Sparta escape the cull as we return to a ten-team competition for next season. The door slams on poor Hermes again, and they will face a stern challenge in next year’s Hoofdklasse as they start again from square one, joined by Dosti and Kampong in what looks likely to be a close fought battle for another shot at a top-flight return. We’ve a few retrospective pieces and such lined up, not least our TK 2022 Team of the Year. Do check back for that, in the meantime thanks for joining us again. I’ve been Bertus de Jong, and that’s been a fine season of Topklasse cricket.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:33
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 185 all out (47.2 overs)
Numair has a go, inside out over the covers and thinks that’s going. It’s not. They only get one for it in the end, Verweij on strike and Bukhari sees the opening. Full and straight and middle stump out of the ground. Hermes fall at the last hurlde, and Sparta survive.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:31
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 184-9 (47 overs)
Iqbal blocks back a full toss from Ahmadi, maybe lost it early. Just three off it, Malik back, Hermes needing a miracle. Iqbal and Nair are swinging hard, the latter surviving a big shout for LBW first up, but not connecting. Another big swipe across the line does for Iqbal as the bottom edge finds the gloves. Nine down now, Davey Verweij last man, 38 needed from three and another season of Hoofdklasse looming. Bukhari again.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:24
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 172-8 (44 overs)
That’s the game, surely? Statham holes out off Ahmadi for 57., Singh holds the catch in the deep and surely no way through Hermes now? Naumair in to join Iqbal with 50 needed off the last six overs. Bukhari back.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:14
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 167-7 (43 overs)
Malik again, looks like a off cutter does for Abdul, big swing across the line at air and losses leg stump. Tasawr Iqbal in. Big appeal for LBW on Statham two ball later but he’s a long way down, and next delivery he gets low to slog-sweep over the leg side for a big six runs to bag his half-century. Hermes still need more from him here though.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:04
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 154-6 (41 overs)
Another down, Chaudhary looking to flick Malik to leg and misses, into the pad and gone. Kader Abdul in.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 18:00
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 150-5 (40 overs)
Ahmadi back and Chaudhary bunts him to leg s=for a quick single to bring up 150 for Hermes. Statham on 45* meanwhile, Hermes need 72 from the last ten with five in hand. Malik returns, he’s got four left.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 17:46
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 142-5 (37 overs)
Manminder Singh replaces Iqbal after drinks, but it’s Saleem that gets the wicket, full and straight and Elenbaas driving down the wrong line, into the pad and no hesitation. Chaudhary in to join Statham, who’s on 40 off 58. Asking rate over sixes now. Bukhari back.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 17:30
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 129-4 (34 overs)
Faisal Iqbal into the attack for the first time, and Statham brings the deficit down to double figures pushing to long off for one. Two balls later he’s gifted a full toss and takes a knee, heaved over square leg for six. Ahmadi back from the other end.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 17:12
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 108-4 (30 overs)
Snoep into his 8th over now, figures currently 22-2. Staham brings upo the hundred for Hermes pushing through cover for one. Saleem still from the other end and holds them to four. Required rate inching toward the run-a-ball mark. Snoep again for the 30th, just a handful of singles. If “double from 30 overs with wickets in hand” holds Hermes are tracking to fall just short, but even that’s asking a lot of a fragile middle order. A lot riding on Statham here.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 16:56
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 94-4 (26 overs)
Bit of width from Snoep and Braat shapes to cut, only half-commits to the shot though and the result is a top edge straight to slip. Olivier Elenbaas in, and Hermes on the ropes. Wicket maiden.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 16:52
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 94-3 (25 overs)
Braat picks up a boundary lifting Saleemi over mid on for four, but not a lot off the bat since the wicket. Hermes at 94-3 half-way through the innings, asking rate just a shade over five an over again now. Snoep continues.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 16:36
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 82-3 (21 overs)
Kothari lofts Snoep back straight for a one-bounce four after drinks, single to follow as he moves on to 37*. Usman Saleemi replaces Ahmadi from the other end however and strikes first ball, Kothari looking to flick over the leg side but gets it too straight and held at long on. Big wicket just as Hermes were starting to take control of the chase. Braat in.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 16:21
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 74-2 (19 overs)
Fifty up as Kothari carves a full wide delivery from Ahmadi behind point for four and the first boundary in nine overs. Next over throws hands at a wide, full delivery from Snoep and connects, up over wide long off for six. Ahmadi goes short to Statham and pulled in front of square for a couple, two balls later tries the same but oversteps, free hit is short and wide and lifted over backward point for four more by Kothari. Asking rate well back down under fives now, and that’s drinks.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 16:07
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 49-2 (16 overs)
Snoep brings himself on now, taking over from Bukhari. Just a single off his first, no boundaries since the wicket as Sparta begin to build some presssure. Pays off in his next as Elenbaas waves a half-hearted cut at a wider dleivery and edges behind. Statham in at four and a steady hand needed.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 15:50
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 42-1 (12 overs)
Khali Ahmadi into the attack, four balls in it’s speared down leg and Sparta are convinced Kothari’s got a feather on it, umpire reckons pad, definitely some sort of noise. Bukhari still from the other end.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 15:37
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 34-1 (8 overs)
Too wide from Kothari and cut behind Ackermann for four behind point, but those will be his last runs as Bukhari has him driving outside off four balls later and takes the outside edge. Ralphn Elenbaas in at three.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 15:30
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 30-0 (7 overs)
Kothari off the mark from his 11th delivery, Bukhari short and wide and cut away hard through point for four. Malik and Bukhari still hard to get away when they get it right, but Kothari and Ackermann alert to anything loose. Kothari’s next scoring shot comes three overs later as Malik gives him room to free his arms and he pulls hard over the midwicket rope for six.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 15:20
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
Hermes : 13-0 (3 overs)
And we’re back. Ackermann and Kothari opening for Hermes, Malik and Bukhari share the new ball. Malik takes a while to find his line with a smattering of wides to start, Bukhari drops short to Ackermann and is pulled high over the on side for four. Malik looks to have settled now though, maiden to Kothari for the third.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 14:30
Sparta : 221 all out (45 overs)
200 up in the 43rd as Ahmadi drives Elenbaas out to long off, then Singh puts the next over the on side for four. Braat replaces Kothari, looking to go wide and full, which works initially before he misses his line and Ahmadi cuts him away twoce through point to go to 43* off just 14 balls. Singh holes out in the next though, failing to clear long on off Elenbaas. Usman Saleemi in and top edges his first ball up high and taken behind square. Two balls later it’s all over, Ahmadi down the track and swinging at air, loses his middle stump and gone for an entertaining 34 off 16. He’s lifted Sparta to a total of 221 but those five unused overs may come back to haunt them here at the Zomercomplex, which despite not looking its most bat-friendly today has been a high-scoring ground so far this season.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 14:13
Sparta : 196-7 (42 overs)
Ahmadi’s in no mood to consolidate. Lofted back foot drive off Kothari brings four through extra, followed up by two consecutive sixes down the ground and a third over midwicket. A ball-hunt ensues, andwhen it’s found Ahmadi looks intent on losing it again. Big heave outside off, no connection this time though. 22 off the over, Elenbaas back.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 14:03
Sparta : 165-7 (40 overs)
Elenbaas continues after drinks and is driven straight by Malik, just past the non-striker’s stumps and away for four. Ackermann still at the other end, gets away with a stray one down leg as Singh pulls it down to deep 45. Kothari replaces Elenbaas, round the wicket angled into Malik, not much turn there still though. Malik backs away to cut one off off stump for a couple, but two balls later looks to go straighter off a fuller ball, falls away from the shot and loses his off stump. He goes for 30, Khalid Ahmadi in.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 13:49
Sparta : 150-6 (37 overs)
Big shout for LBW as a low frull toss from Elenbaas strikes Singh on the pad, not sure what was wrong with that as the bowler’s unsighted us in his follow through, Hermes were pretty convinced though. Leg bye brings up the 150 for Sparta. Ackermann still from the other end, and a maiden to Singh and that’s drinks.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 13:35
Sparta : 140-6 (33 overs)
Short on leg stump from Elenbaas and a bit of a gift for Iqbal, who helps it on it’s way thorugh fine leg for four. Better bouncer two balls later but Malik rides it well. Ackermann keeps thing tight at the other end though and the pressure continues to build. It’s too much for Iqbal in the end, who comes down to Ackermann in his next over and swings hard across the line, misses and the ball just clips the off bail on its way through to Statham, who takes off the other just to be sure. Maminder Singh in to join Malik, who’s on 12*.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 13:15
Sparta : 125-5 (27 overs)
Travis Ackermann into the attack, beats everyone second ball, through Malik and just over the stumps, beats the keeper to for four byes. Looks lie a double change too, Elebaas back from the other end looks like.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 13:04
Sparta : 106-5 (24 overs)
Braat brings himself on and his first ball is slow in the slot to Iqbal who lifts it overlong off for six to bring up the 100 for Sparta. Tidy for the rest though, pace off the order of the day it seems. Kothari still from the other end and just a leg bye off his next. Malik pulls Braat for a couple over the leg side in the next over, but then misses the same shot as the next ball keeps a shade lower and into the pads. Not low enough for thre umpire though, despite Hermes’ entreaties.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:54
Sparta : 94-5 (21 overs)
Another down, Kothari round the wicket to Balwantsingh angling in and full, five dots In a row and a shade shorter, Balwantsingh looks to guide it wide of slip but Braat’s moved himself a shade wider there already and takes a fine catch going to his right. Ahsan Malik in.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:42
Sparta : 86-4 (18 overs)
Balwantsingh off the mark pulling Verweij uppishly trhough midwicket for four, half chance maybe but eludes the field.. And four more lofted just over mid off now, full chance if you add them up but eight runs off the last five balls of the over. Nothing half about that next over though as Bukhari sends up a leading edge off Kothari and is caught by Tasawar Iqbal on the on side. Faisal Iqbal in to join Balwantsingh.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:32
Sparta : 75-3 (15.1 overs)
But a massive breakthrough for Verweij, as Raza is trapped on the crease and the umpire’s finger goes up! 22 from 17 for him, and Prithviraj Balwantsingh joins Bukhari.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:30
Sparta : 75-2 (15 overs)
Elenbaas having got the wicket, Hermes turn to the left-arm spin of Sahil Kothari. Lots of respect from Bukhari, who eases him to extra cover for a single. Pace off the ball from both ends, and Raza and Bukhari happy enough with singles for the time being. Until Verweij gets too straight, and Raza tucks him to the fine leg boundary. A maiden from Kothari keeps Bukhari quiet.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:15
Sparta : 61-2 (10.5 overs)
Raza picks up where he left off against Dosti, smacking the second ball he receives over point for six, before going over long off for another. He knows the dimensions of this ground all too well. Verweij, on the other hand, though his bowling may look inocuous, is keeping Noor quiet. As the initial powerplay ends Olivier Elenbaas switches to the Harbour End, Raza pulling him for a single first up. More wides, but when he gets one to lift outside off and Noor has an almighty heave, the edge flies through to keeper Nick Statham. Enter Mudassar Bukhari, perhaps for the final time.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 12:02
Sparta : 40-1 (8.2 overs)
No sooner said than Numair gets the breakthrough, nipping one back to Ambrose and uprooting his off stump. He goes for 13, and Ali Raza joins Noor.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 11:59
Sparta : 40-0 (8 overs)
The first full-blooded shot of the day as Noor lofts Numair over mid-off for four, Ambrose surprised by extra lift later in the over but cutting to the third-man rope. In his next over Noor picks him up and deposits him over the midwicket boundary. And Ambrose cuts Verweij square for another four. Solid start for Sparta here.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 11:44
Sparta : 14-0 (4 overs)
Five wides as Elenbaas’s first delivery dies on the keeper, who can’t gather it. Then Ambrose tucks him away into the leg side for the first run off the bat. Quite a bit of edginess on both sides in these opening exchanges; hardly surprising in the circumstances. Numair bowls a maiden to Noor, and then Davey Verweij is quickly into the attack, conceding another five wides but also getting a pretty good shout for leg-before against Ambrose. Wides making an early claim to be top-scorer.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 11:32
Sparta : 2-0 (1 over)
Raza Noor and Craig Ambrose open for Sparta, Noor taking strike to Roy Numair, who starts from the Harbour End with a wide down the leg side. Some definite movement in to the right-hander, which helps to explain another wide, and the fact that Noor has a bit of trouble with the line. Olivier Elenbaas from the Equestrian Centre End.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 11:21
It looks as if both sides have made one change from their last game: Faisal Iqbal replaces Mamoon Latif for Sparta, while although we don’t yet have a confirmed XI for Hermes, Sahil Verma is out and appears to be being replaced by Mustafa Nesaar.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 11:04
Sparta have won the toss and elected to bat.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes-DVS 10:35
There’s a delayed start at ‘t Zomercomplex after lots of rain during the week and a heavy dew, and we gather the toss will take place at 11:00.
Rod Lyall 10:15
And here we are, as promised. The last issue of the 2022 season will, we hope, be settled today. Can Sparta survive? Will Hermes-DVS return to the top flight after a five-year absence? You’ll be able to follow it all here!
Rod Lyall 20:11
The season’s not quite done, of course, since the postponed play-off for the final place in next year’s Topklasse, between Sparta 1888 and Hermes-DVS Schiedam will now be played at ‘t Zomercomplex tomorrow. We’ll be here to keep you up to date with that, but for now this is Rod Lyall signing off with congratulations to HCC and commiserations to Voorburg.
Rod Lyall 20:08
So HCC win an undivided championship for the 42nd time (including those times when it was shared between HCC I and HCC II), and for the first time since 2008. They may remember that they withdrew from the finals series amidst controversy last year, but this was a truly brave victory, done the hard way after losing their semi-final to Voorburg last Saturday. Their wins over HBS last Sunday and Voorburg today have a lot in common: hard-fought matches in which they battled their way to a decent total which they defended with some incisive pace bowling and persistent, disciplined spin.
Voorburg vs HCC 20:01
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 188-9 (46 overs)
Stijn de Leede’s bowled by Overdijk, and last man Kingma joins Boissevain for the final delivery. Overdijk bowls a yorker, Kingma digs it out, and HCC are champions! For the second time in a row they’ve held their nerve, and the season ends in disappointment for Voorburg, who for so much of it seemed predestined to take the title for the second time. A fine innings from Musa Ahmad, but in the end that stand between Pringle and Hidde Overdijk set up a notable victory.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:54
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 185-8 (45.1 overs)
And Shariz goes, caught by Pringle at deep square leg off Overdijk’s first ball. Surely now HCC are on their way to their first championship since 2008.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:52
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 185-7 (45 overs)
Pringle bowls the penultimate over. Single to Shariz, four to Ali Ahmad down to third man. A single apiece, and then a mix-up as they try for a second off the last ball and Ali Ahmad is stranded. A very useful innings comes to an end. 16 off the last.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:47
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 177-6 (44 overs)
Two for Shariz off Overdijk’s first, despite an impassioned but futile appeal for a run-out. He swings the next away for a single, and Ali Ahmad thumps the third back over the bowler’s head for four. But the next’s a yorker, well dug out. The fifth ball’s shorter, bottom-edged into the pitch and through to the keeper. Ali Ahmad has the last word, though, lofting the final delivery over long on’s head for six. 24 off 12.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:41
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 164-6 (43 overs)
Shariz getting cheeky now, dabbing Pringle away for a single after picking up a two from the first ball. Lot of onus on Ali Ahmad though, as the asking rate rises sharply now. He manages a single, and Shariz retains the strike by taking another. But now Voorburg need 37 from 18 deliveries.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:34
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 158-6 (41.5 overs)
Long committee meetings as Hidde Overdijk returns. Musa down the pitch, smacking him away in front of point for two. Ditto off the second ball, then a single to cover. Shariz picks up a single, but then Musa, now on 75, holes out to Crowley at mid-off. The game swings back HCC’s way again, as Ali Ahmed Qasim joins Shariz.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:28
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 152-5 (41 overs)
A fumble off the first ball concedes a triple, but Floyd gets it back with two dots. Musa swings the fourth to leg, but he can only hobble to the other end, and he’s in real trouble with that foot. When Shariz tucks it away, however, he’s suddenly able to run a brisk two. And another. Nine from the over. 49 from five.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:23
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 143-5 (40 overs)
Seven from Crowley’s next, Musa moving to 69*. 58 from six. Floyd again.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:18
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 136-5 (39 overs)
Crowley back from the Paddock End, and at the moment the batters are again restricted to taking singles, with a very occasional two. Pringle back to replace Floyd, and he bowls a very, very significant maiden to Musa, who’s also in some trouble as he appeared to chop the ball into his foot. 65 needed off seven overs.
Voorburg vs HCC 19:06
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 125-5 (36 overs)
Deep shadows approaching the pitch now, as Floyd completes a wicket maiden. Shadows over Voorburg’s title aspirations as well, although as long as Musa’s there the cause is not lost. Which he helps by easing Jan-Wieger Overdijk down to the third man boundary. 76 needed from ten overs.
Voorburg vs HCC 18:57
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 117-5 (34.1 overs)
Again Jan-Wieger Overdijk replaces Hidde from the Paddock End, after which they take another drink. And immediately after that, Floyd gets De Grooth, who cuts to point where Worden takes a fine low catch; he goes for 18. Musa’s on 56* now, and is joined by little brother Shariz.
Voorburg vs HCC 18:44
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 106-4 (32 overs)
Hidde Overdijk back, and the tightness is sufficient to bring umpire Akram in from square leg to assert his authority, presumably in response to an untoward comment on the field. Double change, with Pringle back from the Pavilion End.
Voorburg vs HCC 18:36
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 100-4 (29 overs)
De Grooth off the mark with a confident drive through extra cover for four off Bennett. Floyd back from the Pavilion End, and a little misfield enables Musa to go to a very important half-century. It’s all very tight at the moment.
Voorburg vs HCC 18:22
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 80-4 (25.5 overs)
Another one, and this time Bennett claims it in his own right: Sybrand Engelbrecht fences at a wideish delivery and edges it through to keeper Patel. Tom de Grooth joins Musa with the game in the balance.
Voorburg vs HCC 18:12
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 74-3 (23.1 overs)
The partnership’s beginning to pick some momentum now, albeit mostly in singles, and Gorlee’s response is to bring on Felix Bennett from the Paddock End. And it brings a wicket, as they take a short single and De Leede is beaten by a direct hit from Floyd at third man. He goes for 26, Musa on 35*.
Voorburg vs HCC 17:59
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 62-2 (20 overs)
Pringle’s bowled five overs for 11 runs, and is replaced now by Damian Crowley. He continues the pressure; just one brace for Musa of his first. Musa now on 29*, De Leede 20*.
Voorburg vs HCC 17:46
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 56-2 (16 overs)
Clayton Floyd on from the Paddock End. An initial maiden follows one from Pringle. It’s wickets HCC need, but sustained scoreboard pressure could help them to capture them. Just four runs off the last four overs. And that’s drinks.
Voorburg vs HCC 17:34
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 52-2 (12 overs)
Pringle into the attack from the Pavilion End, Musa despatching him to the point boundary. And a double bowling-change, with Jan-Wieger Overdijk succeeding his big brother. Musa’s timing it beautifully, placing Overdijk behind point for another four. He’s moved to 25*, with De Leede on 16*.
Voorburg vs HCC 17:16
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 30-2 (8 overs)
Maintaining a fifth-stump line, Overdijk bowls a maiden to De Leede. But Musa leans into Bijloos driving him through the covers for four. Eight off that one in total, and when De Leede pushes Overdijk back for four off the next Voorburg are more or less up with the rate despite those early wickets.
Voorburg vs HCC 17:05
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 16-2 (5 overs)
Bas de Leede in to steady the ship, and he and Musa set about rebuilding the innings.
Voorburg vs HCC 16:57
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 12-2 (2.4 overs)
Hingorani gets a two, but then he’s bowled all ends up by Bijloos. Two wickets in the over, and HCC have made a great start.
Voorburg vs HCC 16:54
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 10-1 (2.1 overs)
Overdijk from the Paddock End, Musa squeezing him behind point for a boundary first up. Otherwise just dots. But then Bijloos traps Malan in front, and that’s a huuuge wicket for HCC! Hingorani in at three.
Voorburg vs HCC 16:48
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Voorburg: 5-0 (1 over)
Voorburg begin their chase, Musa Ahmad taking strike to the about-to-retire Reinier Bijloos, bowling from the Pavilion End. First ball short and wide, Musa cuts and misses. The second’s a full toss, inside edge to fine leg for a single. Malan off the mark straightaway, pulling a short ball to the midwicket boundary.
Rod Lyall 16:12
Is it enough? It’s probably worth 220 or so from 50 overs, but with Voorburg’s top order HCC will probably need to take early wickets if they’re to have a realistic chance. Still, after the way they defended last week, we may well be in for a thrilling finish.
Voorburg vs HCC 16:09
HCC: 200-5 (46 overs)
Kingma bowls the last, Yash Patel pushing a single before Pringle swings another bouncer behind square for a couple. Then a six over midwicket, effortlessly pulled over the rope. Patel gets two to long off off the final delivery to bring up 200.
Voorburg vs HCC 16:04
HCC: 187-5 (44.5 overs)
Overdijk makes to steer the ball to leg, but gets a leading-edge single to third man instead; nevertheless, that’s his half-century. Pringle follows suit next ball, hammering Malan over long off for six and bringing up the century partnership into the bargain. But Malan gets his man, Overdijk swinging once more, missing, and the bowler hitting. Overdijk goes for a 51-ball 52.
Voorburg vs HCC 15:57
HCC: 177-4 (44 overs)
De Leede takes the ball himself, but Overdijk hits him hard and high over long on for another six, followed by a four through the covers. You sense that these batters know that every run they score makes their bowling lives easier. Pringle slashes the final ball down to third man for another boundary; 17 from the over.
Voorburg vs HCC 15:52
HCC: 160-4 (43 overs)
Overdijk thwacks Kingma over midwicket for six, and gradually the rate is creeping up towards four an over. Malan back to the Paddock End, Pringle visibly frustrated as he’s unable to get him away. He manages a single, and Overdijk then lofts Malan into vacant territory wide of mid-on for a couple, followed by an inside edge for four to fine leg.
Voorburg vs HCC 15:36
HCC: 132-4 (40 overs)
Pringle obliges, heaving Boissevain just over the head of long on for six. Into the final powerplay, and Malan switches to the Pavilion End. He continues to test the batters with bouncers, but Overdijk swings him away behind square for a couple. Shariz back for Boissevain, and they manage to extract seven from the over, bringing up the fifty partnership. Malan is replaced by Kingma, who has a possible four overs available. Pringle 30*, Overdijk 23*.
Voorburg vs HCC 15:18
HCC: 108-4 (36 overs)
Three singles off Boissevain’s next, and two more and a double off De Leede. Just one boundary for HCC off the past dozen overs, and with ten left there has to be a change of gear soon.
Voorburg vs HCC 15:11
HCC: 101-4 (34 overs)
De Leede himself back from the Pavilion End immediately after drinks; just a single for Overdijk from the first of his spell. Boissevain continues from the Paddock End, Overdijk turning him behind square for another single. One for Pringle as well, then Overdijk survives a leg-before appeal and is nearly run out as Pringle calls him through for a leg-bye. Hundred up, but HCC have a long way to go. A De Leede maiden ensures that Voorburg continue to turn the screw.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:58
HCC : 96-4 (31 overs)
Three off the over and that will be drinks. HCC in a precarious position with precious little batting to come and the lower order in doubtful form. De Leede has plenty of options for the next 19, everyone’s got overs left. HCC need a partnership here if they’re to get to some sort of score.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:53
HCC : 93-4 (30 overs)
Overdijk pick up his first boundary driving Malan out thrpough the off side, but it’s mostly consolidation again after that brace of wickets. Boissevain returns….
Voorburg vs HCC 14:40
HCC : 79-4 (27 overs)
And one brings two, Woren pushing down the wrong line and Malan takes his off stump Overdijk in.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:35
HCC : 78-3 (26 overs)
Ahmad finds the breakthrough, Gorlee on the sweep again bu it’s uppish and picks out deep backward square. He goes for 31, Tim Pringle in.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:27
HCC : 73-2 (24 overs)
SHariz Ahmad back, Gorlee steps out and lifts him straight for four. 57 the partnership now, Gorlee on 30, Worden 29. Still Malan at the other end.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:14
HCC : 57-2 (20 overs)
Too full from Malan and Worden drives through the covers for four to take HCC past fifty. Boissevain not quite found his line at thee other end, scoreboard beginning to tick.
Voorburg vs HCC 14:04
HCC : 48-2 (18 overs)
Boissevain on after drinks, just the one run off his first. Ali Ahmad gives up a smateering of ones and twos in the next though, and Gorlee gets a sweep away off Boissevain for four behind square in the 18th beginnings of a partnership here. Malan into the attack.
Voorburg vs HCC 13:53
HCC : 34-2 (11 overs)
Ali Ahmad into the attack, taking over from Kingma. Worden and Gorlee still circumspect. 34-2 at drinks.
Voorburg vs HCC 13:35
HCC : 23-2 (11 overs)
Worden and Gorlee consolidating, the latter picks up three flicking de Leede behid square but not much else off the bat. Still Kingma from the other end, another maiden from him.
Voorburg vs HCC 13:19
HCC : 16-2 (6 overs)
De Leede strikes! Back of a length and Staal looks to turn that to leg, leading edge and Stijn de Leede round to take a simple catch at short midwicket. Gorlee in.
Voorburg vs HCC 13:42
HCC : 14-1 (5 overs)
Staal lines up Ahmad and swings him away over midwicket for six, maiden from Kingma next up though. Back-and-forth so far. Bas de Leede into the attack.
Voorburg vs HCC 13:05
HCC : 8-1 (3 overs)
Worden puts his first ball away for four, but quiet since then, Shariz Ahmad shares the new ball.
Voorburg vs HCC 12:55
HCC : 0-1 (0.1 overs)
A bit behind schedule but they’re underway and Viv Kingma opening the bowling – and how! Picture-perfect inswinging yorker to Crowley and gone first ball. Worden joins Staal.
Voorburg vs HCC 12:33
HCC have won the toss, we gather, and elected to bat first.
Voorburg vs HCC 12:30
Activity now, sun’s out and the teams are warming up, aiming for a 12.45 start and 46 overs each.
Voorburg vs HCC 12:00
If no news is good news, we have some pretty decent news. Inspection at 12.15.
Voorburg vs HCC 11:30
Taking another look at 11.45.
Voorburg vs HCC 10:40
More optimistic at Wesvliet, but needs som time to dry out too. Inspection at 11 we hear.
Sparta 1888 vs Hermes 10:10
Well there won’t be a toss at Thurlede, as no amount of sunshine will fix things there. Standing water on the outfield. No play today and they’ll be looking for another venue for tomorrow.
Bertus de Jong 10:05
Good morning everyone, and welcome back for what will be the decisive day, ot a t least couple of days of the 2022 Topklasse. Voorburg welcome HCC to Westvliet for the Grand Final, while Sparta will be taking it to the mat against Hoofdklasse Champions Hermes at Thurlede for a place in the top flight next season, weather permitting of course. And as it stands the weather looks remarkably permissive despite what the forecasts have told us all week. Hope to have two timely losses for you within the next half hour, in the meantime, your preview.
TKcricket 