Topklasse Live | Round 11 | As it Happened

They only need one of them, in fact, as Zulfiqar uses his feet to Turmaine and drives him through the covers. Nice shot to finish it, Zulfiqar ending on 33* and Shahzad on 22*. A very well-judged chase, in the end.

They get their four off the last from Shariz, and then Zulfiqar eases the tension by driving Ruffell wide of mid-on for four. That makes a huge difference – four singles as well, and now the equation’s four off twelve deliveries.

A picket-fence of half-a-dozen singles off Shariz, then Ruffell returns for the death. His seven overs so far have gone for threes, but his first ball’s going down leg, helped by Shahzad to fine leg for a couple. The next is outside off, and played behind square for three. Big swing that, and Ziulfiqar is content to push into the covers for a single. It’s turned into a very profitable over for Punjab – eight from it, and they need 16 off the last four.

Khurram Shahzad is the new man, and four come from Shariz’s next. A slightly fortuitous four off the last ball of Thakur’s redresses the balance, 30 needed from the last six.

Shariz switches to the City End, and goes for just a trio of singles. Thakur replaces Ruffell after a single over, and with the field spread there are singles pretty much anywhere. Niaz, though, plays a rather airy cut shot, and edges to Cassidy. Definitely advantage VRA now.

Ruffell back from Mulder’s End, Hake having completed his spell, and Niaz gets the finest of tickles down to the sightscreen. 48 needed off the last ten, which is, as they used to say in the newsreel cinemas of my youth, where we came in.

The balance shifts massively, though, when Gondal, on 47, tries to turn Hake to leg, is struck on the pad, and umpire Westerberg’s finger goes up. Gondal’s not happy, perhaps thinking it was missing leg (though not his), but he has to go. Burhan Niaz the new man, with VRA getting back on top.

Riaz rubs it in by hitting a towering six back over Hake‘s head, but he goes next ball, attempting a repeat and slicing it to Shariz at deepish point. He made 38, Gondal’s on 46*, and Sikander Zulfiqar comes to the crease with the game in the balance.

A half-chance from Riaz eludes Smal at extra cover, much to Hake’s frustration. Turmaine continues after another drink, and some good running keeps the scoreboard moving. 75 required from the last 15, which is pretty much where they’ve been all along.

Gondal has evidently decided to take the initiative, and he hits Turmaine for back-to-back fours through midwicket – a bit agricultural, but nonetheless effective. Riaz is more correct, driving Turmaine sweetly in the same direction, and between them they’ve brought the deficit under 100. Riaz on 24* now, Gondal on 34*.

Spin from both ends now, as Leon Turmaine comes into the attack from the City End. He’s as tidy as ever, while Shariz has a lot more bounce in his stride and a lot more flight on the ball since that wicket. That said, Smal brings Hake back from Mulder’s End. Punjab are almost up with the asking rate, but they need a solid partnership to reinforce their advantage.

Shariz may have been starting to regret his return from Scotland as Minhas swept him square for four, but then the opener tries a big slog-sweep, misses, and is bowled. He made 55, Gondal the new man. VRA are back in this.

Thakur tries to frustrate Minhas by bowling close to the wide line, but the shoe’s on the other foot when the batter dabs him down through the gully for four. Then one on the stumps runs off the outside edge and out to the point boundary, bringing Minhaas to his fifty. Ruffell back from that end, Minhas guiding him down to third man to bring up the hundred.

Musa takes the initiative in the Ahmad family battle by pulling his little brother over midwicket for six. 11 off the over, and that’s the cue for a regular drinks break. Thakur switches to over the wicket, and with the final ball of the over he strangles Musa down the leg side, Cassidy snaffling the catch. He goes for 28, and Mohsin Riaz joins Minhas, who’s on 40*.

That may have morphed into an early drinks break. Thereafter, Minhas and Musa continue to pick off the singles, going after the occasional looser delivery. Slowly but surely, Punjab are getting on top here. It’s wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smal turning to spin – and sho ’nuff, here’s Shariz from Mulder’s End.

Thakur replaces Ruffell from the City End, and Musa plays a mirror-image cut for four. Minhas then decides to take Hake on, lofting him into the water beyond long on. Everybody accepts that this may take a while. And it does.

Ruffell has found his compass, and his fourth over, to Minhas, is a maiden. Thakur having filled in, Sharad Hake takes over from Mulder’s End, Musa cutting him to the point boundary. Otherwise, they’re content to exist on a diet of singles, although when Hake overpitches Minhas puts him away through mid-on with ruthless efficiency. Honours probably about even at the end of the powerplay.

Abid gets one delivery into his third over, and then pulls up. The body language suggests a side strain, and after a conference among the VRA players Viraj Thakur takes over. That’s a big blow for the hosts, although they did start with a four-man seam attack. Three singles off the rest of the over.

First runs off the bat, as Minhas, batting in his distinctive red helmet, tucks Abid through midwicket for a couple. The next one’s struck squarer and more firmly, going all the way for four. But in Abid’s next he gets the breakthrough, Shinwari going for a big hoick and edging the ball into his leg stump. Musa Ahmad in at three.

Peter Ruffell bowls the first over from the City End, Fawad Shinwari taking strike. He starts with a wide, and is perhaps a tad lucky not to be called again when his third delivery is also on about a ninth stump line. No doubt about the next, down the leg side. But that’s the extent of the damage, the rest forcing Shinwari to defend. Ashir Abid from Mulder’s End.

Shariz brings out the reverse to take four off his brother, but lthen oses Zaidi to a needless mix up. One more boundary in the next, another tumbling slog-sweep behind square for six, and then a commendable attempt at an unlikely second runs sees Ruffel run out on the last ball. Shariz finishes on a run-a-ball 29* having lifted the hosts to 244.

Back to back fours from the VRA captain through a misfielding deep backward square and then vacant long off take him to 80, but that’s as far as he’ll go. Back away to cut, too far and not in control, miscued and taken at short third. Zaidi in for the last couple of overs.

And sure enough first ball of Gondal’s next Smal goes hard and high inside out over cover for six to bring up the 200. Four of the next five are singles though, each looking a bit of an ordeal for the VRA skipper. Ahmad still from the other end, bowling to his younger brother now, who does his best to get his skipper onto strike at a gentle jog. Smal produces a quite extraordinary rolling slog-scoop for four over backward square. Gondal to continue.

Smal goes to fifty cutting Gondal hard behind point for four first ball of the 44th. He’s definitely not full pace between the wickets now though as he turns down a third that they’d have run easy earlier in the innings. He can’t very well retire hurt though given the lack of recognised bats to come, but given the conditions this will likely shave a few runs off the total. Expect he may just start looking to hit out now.

Smal in a spot of bother out there, sent back on a dodgy single by Shariz, turns and immeditely starts hobbling back to the crease. Home safe enough, maybe turned an ankle? He’s okay to continue but looks a bit uncomfortable running now. Doesn’t stop them picking up a single next ball though, and now a couple more. Gondal to continue.

Gondal into the attack and Cassidy picks up his first boundary, backing away to cut hard in front of point to the rope. Change of ends for Ahmad, coming in from Mulder’s now. Hard running puts pressure on the field there, turning a risky single to midwicket into two off the misfield. Ahmad loses his line now and Smal dinks him delicately through fine leg for four more. Two balls later and Ahmad strikes back, Cassidy lloking to go high over long off, doesn’t get nearly enough of it and Minhas comes a long way in off the rope to hold on diving forward. And the wicket brings the bowler’s brother to the middle, Shariz Ahmad in at five.

Smal takes the aerial route lofting Ahmad back straight for a two-bounce four, but runs still hard to come by. 150 up just before the second drinks break, with 8 wickets in hand you’d expect them to try to force the pace some when they resume, but the hosts have a longish tail today.

Punjab making the hosts work for every run out there, outfield not offering much assistance either. Smal picks up the fifth three of the day chopping Haider down to deep third, where it holds up inside the rope. Musa Ahmad into the attack now.

And one brings two, Haider again and gets Peiris in similar fashion. Cassidy at four.

Haider back and gets the breakthrough, takes the inside edge looks like and through to the gloves. Gouge doesn’t wait for the finger, walks for 59. Smal in and off the mark thanks to a misfield at short third.
edit: it was if fact the outside edge, we’re reliably informed.

Gouge goes to fifty after drinks brushing Mahmood off his pads for a single behind square. Gets after Mahmood again in the next, lovely lofted straight drive for a one-bouncer. Peiris starting to get going now too, sweeps Minhas behind square for his second bouindary of the day. Beginning to look ominous for Punjab this.

Aaliyan Mahmood into the attack and Gouge showing some signs of aggression now, aims a forceful square drive at the fourth ball which doesn’t connect, but puts the next away hard and high over extra. Chases a wide down leg on the sweep, then slashes aw fuller delivery outside off through the covers for four more. Tariq bowls out his ten up top for a customarily tidy 0-25, Minhas to takes over. Fouroff that and we’ve got in an impressive 21 overs before drinks.

Gouge drops to one knee to pull Shazad hard through point for four to bring up the fifty partnership. hasn’t been a quick one but has looked pretty solid. and as I type Peiris gives up the first clear chance, driving uppishly back at Tariq who gets both hands to it but can’t hold on.

All very attritional at thr minute, Peiris especially struggling to find runs, but now finds trhe release shot lofting Tariq back over his head for four. Been tight from Tariq and Shahzad otherwise, Goyuge and Peiris on 24 *and 13* respectively.

Half chance as Gouge cuts Haider uppishly behind backward point, doesn’t quite carry I don’t think, Aaliyan Mahmood there does well to stop it really.. And the first boundary of the day a few balls later, Gouge chasing a weider, full ball and gets it past cover to the rope. And an early switch to spin, Shahzad on at the city end and a tight first over of idiosyncratic off-spin from him, just one off it. Still Tariq at the other end.

Gouge drills Haider past midwicket off the back foot, doesn’t quite have the legs to get the the rope but they make good use of their own to take three. Outfield a tad sluggish today by the look of it. Haider comes back beating Peiris’ outside edge a few balls later.

Tariq takes the new ball as usual, Patrick Gouge up the order to open with Peiris in Scully’s absence. Off the mark first ball tucking Tariq square off his pads into a pocket of space space. Single wide of mid on to retain strike last ball, looks like Haider from the other end.

So Shariz Ahhmad does indeed come back into the VRA side for Luke Scully. Punjab bring Aaliyan Mahmood in for Saqib Zulfiqar. No other changes from last week at first glance.

And word from the middle is that the hosts have won the toss and will have a bat. Team news when we get it, though I can of course tell you that Saqib Zulfiqar has been called up to join the Dutch squad for the T20I series starting this afternoon, while Shariz Ahmad has returned.

An abject failure of self-control from Blankestijn, who remains on the field, and an abject failure too from umpires Prabhudesai and Deshpande, who not only failed to remove him but have apparently also forgotten to award the requisite five penalty runs to Kampong. The hosts win regardless, five wides down leg a suitable way to conclude this farce. Kampong win by three wickets.

Ugly scenes of a sudden. Blankestijn produces an fine slower yorker to bowl van der Harten. Words at least exchanged as they pass each other, Blankestijn turns around, advances on the departing van der Harten and physically checks him to the gound. Van der Harten recovers himself and leaves the field, Nana the new bat and, after some discussion, Blankestijn appears to be readying to complete the over. Which he should absolutely not be permitted to do.

Naqvi returns, last role of the dice for Excelsior. Van der Harten and Jacod happy to knock him around for ones and twos, then last ball Jacod gets adventurous, looks for a reverse dab-sweep, edges past the keeper the other side from that which he intended but will get four anyway. Just ten to get now. Blankestijn from the other end.

Well after another consumately professional innings Ingram suddenly loses his composure, aims a colossal slog-sweep at Rahaley, and is clean bowled for 37. Where did that come from? Van der Harten in to join Jacod and suddenly just the tiniest hint of an opening for Excelsior. 25 needed in six.

Another for Ralson as Chaturvedi, rushed on the pull, is caught in close on the leg side. Jacod in. 41 needed from 9 overs.

Seven off Scheepers’ last including an egresious full toss down leg for two wides, and it’s all but over. And entirely over next over, overpitched from Ahmadi and Patel whips it away over square to the rope to seal the victory. HCC win by 5 wickets.

Cheeky uppercut over third brings Ingram six more off Ralston, but the partnership finally fails four balls later as Berry misses an inswinger and is struck in front of leg. Tight call that but given and he’s gone for 96 off 104. Chaturvedi the new man.

White falls with the end in sight, top-edged pull off Ahmadi and he’s walking back before the catch is even taken. He goes for 56. Yash Patel to the middle. They need ten from the last three. Scheepers returns for the 48th.

Ralston returns after drinks, but there’s still no way through this partnership for Excelsior. Berry pulls a short ball on leg over backward square for four, Inrgam cuts to the rope a few ball later. Rahaley still from the other end. Visitors looking short on ideas.

Fifty for White pushing Scheepers out to long off for one, but loses another partner next over as Overdijk aims a sweep at Baker, misses, and is pinned in front for 5. Banerjee in, Ahmadi back.

Staal into the ninties when Baker finds the breaktrhough entirely against the run of play, just held up on Staal a tad and he ends up tapping a tame return catch to fall for 91. Likely too late for Sparta though, Overdijk in, 29 to get from the last seven.

Still a ways to go for Kampong, but the word “inexorable” springs to mind as Ingram pushes Rahaley out to long off for a single. Kroesen back.

Manminder Singh into the attack, goes badly. Neck-high full toss second ball is sent out of the ground by Staal, who moves into the eighties. This game only going one way too by the look of it.

Ralston and Rahaley operating now for Excelsior, but no sign of a breakthrough. Berry and Ingram closing in on a fifty partnership and batting the visitors slowly out of contention as it statnds.

Staal and White still looking largely untroubled as they continue to push toward the total, White now driving Ahmadi through the covers to go to 30*, Staal into the seventies now.

Drag-down from Rossouw sits up on leg stump and Zulfiqar pulls it a way square for four, crowding out any potential Ostling century in so doing. Finishes things off in the next over sweeping de Mey behind square for four more, Ostling left unbeaten on 86* as Hermes win by 8 wickets.

A rare gift from Kroesen as he sends down a rank full toss which Berry duly dispatches over the miwicket rope. Berry goes to fifty five balls later pushing a single out to deep midwicket. Excelsior in dire need of wickets again.

200 up for Hermes meanwhile, Ostling and Zulfiqar look set to see them to an unhurried victory. Ostling on 67* now, Zulfiqar on 2*. Rossouw and Boddendijk still for the hosts.

Malik back and tidy enough from him, 2 off the 30th and if you go by double from thirty with wickets in hand the hosts ought to get home easy enough from here. Sparta neeed a wicket or three. Baker from the other end.

And Kroesen finds the breakthrough after drinks, Vieler down the track, holds its line and into the front pad. He’s a long way down the track but they do give those these days, and so it proves. Finger up. Bangs at four. And two balls later no doubt about that, tossed up outside off to the left hander, turns in just enough, evades the outside edge but finds the off stump. Ingram in with Kampong wobbling.

Likewise at Utrecht, where Kampong are a third of the way to the total at the first drinks break, Karel Vieler on 35*, Berry with him on 25*.

Statham takes two more boundaries off Rossouw over the covers before holing out to long on for 24. Asad Zulfiqar at four.

Hundred up for HCC meanwhile, and Tonny Staal goes to fifty running Max Hoornweg down to third. Hosts looking very much in control of this chase at the minute.

Everything’s gone a bit normaller at Craeyenhout since DDC’s dismissal, Statham and Ostling finding just the one boundary an over as they push up the score. The latter goes to fifty pulling the returning Rossouw square for a couple, then pulls out the scoop last ball of the over for a couple more. HBS still look shell-shocked in the field. Boddendijk into the attack now.

Antum Naqvi into the attack now, and a moment of comedy as Niels Etman attempts to throw him the ball and flicks it some five yards over his head. Naqvi merely stands with hands on hips waiting for long on to jog over and collect the ball for him. Proper big dog behaviour.

And Tonny Staal profits in similar fashion at de Diepput as a shy at the non-strikers stumps from point races to the rope, but three balls later Gorlee plays the same shot, stutter-steps as Staal sets off for another risky one, tries to send him back, fails, and the throw is gently to Snoep now who has plenty of time to run out his opposite number for 28. Ollie White in.

Breakthrough at Maarschalkerweerd meanwhile as Blankenstijn digs one in down leg, van den Berg gives chase and nicks through to Verhagen. Lane Berry at three, and starts positively. Edward takes over from Ralston, and Vieler picks up five as he pushes into the covers and sets off four a single, throw rifled in at the strikers but Verhagen’s not up to the stumps and nobody’s backing up. Absurd those count for the bat and against the bowler IMO, but there you are.

But it’s not to be. De Mey gets on to grip and it spins trhough between bat and pad into DDC’s leg stump. He goes for 94 off 49 and Nick Statham’s at three. Looks to be raining pretty hard now but they’re staying out there. Hermes with their noses in front on DLS you’d think.

Ostling getting in on the act now as he rocks back to pump Barresi over the on side for six. DDC has slowed up slightly, but is one hit away now on 94 off just 48 balls. We don’t have granular data al the way back to the 19th century, but bar maybe Vikram Singh at this ground two years ago in *that game* (scorecard was rather ambiguous on balls faced) pretty sure nobody’s ever hit a Topklasse ton in less than 50 balls before…

Thick outside edge through vacant gully bring vd Berg four more off Ralston, but this is nothing like the sort of death or glory gambit we’ve come to expect from Kampong. Ah wait there we go, short arm jab for six over cover point first ball of Ralston’s next. Vieler rather less fluent at the other end though as he inside edges his 17th ball across his stumps for his 7th run.

Comparatively quiet at de Diepput too, where Gorlee and Staal continue to consolidate after the early wicket. Ahmadi and Snoep still for the hosts.

DDC denied the strike and a chance at history at Craeyenhout, but Ostling picks up four of his own with a straight drive off Barresi, prompting another long, unexplained delay. Nabs the strike again with the last ball, 105 without loss after ten, fair to say Hermes have won the powerplay there.

Quick turnaround at Kampong and a comparatively queit start to the chase, van den Berg picks up four in the second with a lovely cover drive off Ralsto. He’s opening with Vieler, Blankenstijn shares the new ball.

DDC down the track to de Mey to bring up his fifty flaying him over cover, and he’s not slowed down since. Barresi into the attack and gives up just a single to Ostling, but Doyle-Calle utterly dismantles de Mey in the next. Three fours, two sixes, 24 off it. He’s on 80 off just 34 balls. The hundred’s uip for Hermes and DDC has an outside chance of achieving the utterly preposterous. He needs 20 off the next over to bring up his century inside the powerplay.

Four more for Staal off Snoep in the next, and Khalid Ahmadi takes over from Mailk. Four more dots and then Gorlee finds the first single since the second over bunting to leg. And London buses, another single just two balls later. Snoep’s next over a similar story and 34-1 after the powerplay. Hardly a flying start but with wickets in hand HCC will be happy enough.

Boendermaker into the attack and Doyle welcomes him by pulling his first two deliveries – both back of a length on fifth stump – over midwicket for six. Boendermaker goes fuller for the rest of the over to better effect, but Botha’s still stuggling at the other end. DDC takes him for three more boundaries in the 6th, and then insult to injury a fuller ball shoots through low and beats the keeper for four byes. HBS rattled, DDC one hit away from fifty – 46 off just 22 balls. De Mey into the attack.

Staal off the mark flicking Snoep high over midwicket for four, then cuts the next behind point for four more. Gorlee opens his account with a straight drive to the rope off Malik, then walks across to flick him square for four more. Just those four scoring shots since the wicket though.

Strong finish from Excelsior meanwhile, Kroesen makes room to force Ingram twice through the covers for four. Bangs picks up another wicket in the last as Etman holes out square bringning Ralston to the middle, but hard running ensures they scabble a few more, and 20 in total off those last 13 balls. Kampong will need 240 to win.

Errant from Botha in his first, wide down leg, outside off, then overpitched and driven through cover by DDC for four. Rossouw comes in for some serious tap in the next, Ostling picks up his first boundary with a pick up one-bounce four over midwicket, then DDC puts away a wide full toss three balls later, and pulls the next fround the corner for four more. Hermes off to a flier.

Floyd just starting to get going, another on his pads from Malik is clipped throught the gap square for four, couple of doubles keeps thing ticking, but next over he’s gone in the most unfortunate manner. Straight drive from Staal is palmed on to the non-strikers stumps by Snoep in his follow through and Floyd’s just backing up a tad, no chance to get back and gone. Gorlee at three, Staal still scoreless.

And the covers are coming off at Maarchalkerweerd too, and looks like Excelsior will get those last 13 balls.

They’re back on at Craeyenhout too, Ostling and Doyle-Calle opening for Hermes, and spin to start – Rossouw takes the new ball for the hosts. Dots and a wide beforeOstling off the mark fifth ball with a single guided behind point, the DDC carves his first ball inside out over cover for four. Botha from the other end.

They’re back out their at de Diepput though, Ahsan Malik takes the new ball for the visitors, Clayton Floyd and Tonny Staal opening for the hosts. Five dots to start, then Floyds off the mark tucking a single to leg off his pads. Snoep from the other end.

Seems my chat of passing showers may have been incautious in its optimism. Covers still firmly on for now. Would have to come off pretty quick if Excelsior are to resume their innings.

De Mey’s run out for 43, taking the second from an overthrow a bit too casually and beaten by Elenbaas’s throw to Zulfiqar. Then Jayden Rossouw’s stumped off Jabarkhail to give the spinner five for 38. From 37 for four HBS will probably be relatively happy with that total, but will it be enough?

Really annoyingly, they’re off for rain in Utrecht, just 13 deliveries from the end of Excelsior’s innings. Will that be it, or will they get back out to finish itoff?

Mumba levels the scores with a single, then Kaplan takes another to give Voorburg the points. Mumba 31*, Kaplan 19*, and Voorburg win by 9 wickets.

Some last-wicket resistance from Baker and Snoep comes to an end when Snoep edges Brown to Staal at slip, who takes a sharp diving catch. Six for 37 for Brown, who bowled with real aggression throughout.

Walbrugh goes to his century with a double behind point off Woermeijer, but then he tries to hit Jabarkhail and pays the price, bowled for a 108-ball 101. Sellin de Beer lasts two balls before giving Jabarkhail a return catch, and Benno Boddendijk joins De Mey.

De Lange goes, trapped in front by Roman Harhangi, but Mumba and Kaplan press on with a NRR-improving onslaught. Just 23 more needed now.

Nana removes Hampton, who hit two sixes in his 20-ball 27, bringing Niels Etman in to join Kroesen. Excelsior are still perhaps a little short of a par total.

A wicket for Overdijk, who bowls Ahmadi for 20, and then a fifth for Brown, Max Hoornweg caught by Brown without scoring. Martijn Snoep the last man.

There’s a bit of faffing about with Walbrugh on 97* – not sure whether it’s a ball which is at issue, but there’s quite a long delay, agitating the umpires somwhat, it appears. De Mey’s on 32*, and this has been a very useful stand indeed.

Mumba thumps Arnav Jain for six, and it’s evident that Voorburg want to get this over with as quickly as possible..

Rahaley reaches his century, but on 101 he pulls Bangs straight to Lane Berry at deep square leg. Fine knock, though, and it‘ ‘s given Excelsior a hint of a chance as Joost Kroesen joins Hampton. They’ll still need a big finish, though.

Another for Brown, Boorer also caught by White, bringing Umar Baker in to join Ahmadi, who’s hit three boundaries already.

Walbrugh and De Mey still there going into the last ten, and Braat returns from the Sportlaan End. The HBS captain’s keen to push on now, and when Braat gifts him a leg-side full toss he has no problem despatching it to the fine leg boundary. Nine from the over in all, Walbrugh now on 81*, De Mey 24*.

They’re back on at the Hazelaarweg, the Jains sharing the new ball, and Cedric de Lange taking two boundaries off the first over by Aaditt of That Ilk. Carl Mumba is his partner.

An unfortunate end to a fine stand: with Rahaley on 99* Van Troost tries to give him the strike, but the run isn’t there, and when Rahaley sends him back he’s beaten by Bangs’s return to Van den Berg. He goes for 39, and Brett Hampton joins Rahaley.

Brown, clearly unamused, lets Scheepers have a couple of bouncers, and at the end of that over he holes out to Boris Gorlee at cow and departs for 37. And one brings two, as in Leijer’s next Klesse, on 57, chips him to Brown at backward point. Then a third, as Manminder Singh is caught by White off Brown. Sparta’s platform is beginning to crumble now, as Khalid Ahmadi joins Boorer.

Drinks at Craeyenhout, with Walbrugh on 58* and De Mey on 18*. Elenbaas returned for one over from the Scoreboard End, but without further success. Jabarkhail still on from the Sportlaan End, but after the break it’s Woermeijer to continue.

Ingram returns as the stand approaches three figures, Rahaley likewise, on 90* now, with Van Troost on 35*. Kampong in serious need of a wicket.

And indeed, Fletcher falls to a return catch by Boissevain, and Voorburg will be chasing 85. Kaplan finishes with four for 21.

Josh Brown returns from the Scoreboard End, and Scheepers belts him twice towards long off, the first landing just inside the fence, the second beyond it. That necessitates a change of ball, but with Scheepers now on 30* and Klesse on 55*, Sparta are better placed than they have been all season.

No recovery for VOC: Aaditt Jain run out by De Leede and Melville for 19, Van Wingerden caught by Kaplan off Philippe Boissevain for 4, and Jelte Schoonheim bowled by Charumbira. Pierce Fletcher, making his first appearanceof the season, joins Roman Harhangi, but the end surely can’t be far off now.

Walburgh goes past fifty for the 32nd time in 72 innings, but Del Bianco slashes Jabarkhail to Niels Woermeijer at backward point, visibly furious as the catch is taken. Julien de Mey in to join Walbrugh.

Spin from both ends, with Gopinath combining with Jacod, but Rahaley and Van Troost are still there, Rahaley on 77* now and Van Troost on 25*. Nana returns from the University End.

Overdijk back into the attack with Klesse on 48*, and he bowls a maiden. Juandre Scheepers, meantime, as moved to 18* at the other end. White still from the Scoreboard End.

Kaplan’s demolition of VOC continues, as Recordon goes, caught by Tom de Leede for 13. Aaditt Jain joins Van Wingerden, who’s holding up an end but has yet to score after facing 25 deliveries.

HBS into three figures, but then Navjit, having reached 30, tries to hit Hikmatullah Jabarkhail over long on, doesn’t get all of it, and sees the catch snaffled by . . . Olivier Elenbaas. Lukas del Bianco in to join Walbrugh, who’s on 38*.

Jacod into the attack from the University End, but Rahaley lofts him over mid-off for the brace that brings him a half-century, and then cuts loose, swinging him wide of long on for a six and then a four. Important innings this, for the match and perhaps for Excelsior’s season.

Hundred up for Sparta, but when Oliver White he promptly makes a mess of Steenbergen’s stumps as the opener plays back, and he departs for 25. Klesse’s moved on to 35*, 26 of them from five fours and a six. Gorlee has used seven bowlers already, in part because of a hamstring injury to Floris de Lange in the fifth over of the innings.

At the Hazelaarweg, not so much, as Kaplan bowls Jain. Siebe van Wingerden in to join Recordon, Three for 9 from Kaplan’s five overs so far.

When Floyd strays outside leg Klesse sweeps him through 45 to the boundary, and when the next one’s on the stumps he smacks it over extra for the same result. Some decent rebuilding at De Diepput as well, at least for now.

With Elenbaas out of the attack, Walbrugh and Navjit are manufacturing a promising (and much-needed) recovery against Sebastiaan Braat and Sahil Kothari. Long way to go, though.

And another for Bangs, as Naqvi edges and Van den Berg takes a terrific catch, diving low to his right to grab the catch. Big wicket for Kampong, as Stan van Troost joins Rahaley.

Another one goes: Uman Malik into the attack, and almost immediately he has Janett caught by Tom de Leede. VOC in real trouble now, as Arnav Jain joins Recordon.

Wicket for Bangs, as Van Tonder drives square, fails to get on top of it, and is caught at point by Pierre Jacod. Antum Naqvi succeeds him.

Malik, having reached 17, prods forward at Clayton Floyd, who dives to his right to take a fine return catch. Steenbergen’s still there, on 17* as well, as Kyle Klesse comes to the crease.

Lorenzo Ingram and Lachlan Bangs into the attack now as Rahaley and Van Tonder dig in for the long haul. Rahaley’s gone to 28*, his partner on 8*.

VOC in trouble as well, as Gavin Kaplan removes De Kok, again caught by Klein for 26, and then, two balls later, Christiaan Oberholzer without scoring. Pieter Recordon in to join Scott Janett.

Elenbaas is having a field-day at Craeyenhout: having had Reece Mason caught behind as well, he’s gone on to bowl Wesley Barresi, a surprise returnee from Scotland, and then to have Lehan Botha caught at point by Ash Ostling as he drives just a little uppishly. He has four for 21, and Hermes are all over their hosts at the moment. Navjit Singh in to join Walbrugh.

Early wicket at Hazelaarweg as well: Patient Charumbira, who is sharing the new ball with Mees van Vliet today, has Bart Kooistra caught by Ryan Klein for 7. Scott Janett in to join Tim de Kok, who has stepped into an opening role.

Inevitably, perhaps, Ferguson perishes, bowled by Josh Brown for a 19-ball 23. Ahsan Malik, now a proven number three, joins Steenbergen.

Kampong won the toss at Maarschalkerweerd, Excelsior batting. And Shashank Kumar gets the breakthrough, as Roel Verhagen chases one outside off stump and is caught by keeper Van den Berg. Raynard van Tonder in to join Sam Rahaley.

Sam Ferguson has gone off at a rate of knots at De Diepput, smacking Hidde Overdijk for four and then a strong of 4-6-4 off Floris de Lange. Jochem Steenbergen happy to be a spectator from the other end at the moment.

An action-packed start at Craeyenhout, where a couple of wides by Roy Numair concede a total of seven runs, and then Olivier Elenbaas strikes, Elmar Boendermaker caught behind by Asad Zulfiqar.

Tayo Walbrugh has won the toss at Craeyenhout, and HBS will have a bat.

Gavin Kaplan has also called correctly, but has opted to give VOC first use of the pitch.

And here we go: Joost-Martijn Snoep has won the toss at De Diepput and elected to bat.