Topklasse Live | Round 13 | As it Happened

Out to long off again for one, Nashier back on strike, low full toss chipped over extra and that will do, easy two, VRA win by 2 wickets

Single to leg to start, thick edge to deep third next up. Now down the track to make a full toss of it, but only pushes as far as long off. three needed off three.

Nashier back in the crease to lift the first of the 49th over mid-off for four, the next is out to point and Ahbhinay over-committed to the single, throw back to the bowlers end is good enough and gone. Moorthy in and Nashier is wiloling to leave him three to face. He’s sees them off. Six needed off the last over, van Oosterom to bowl it.

Van Oosterom back, Abhinay gets him away for one at the fourth attempt off an inside edge. Nashier runs him to third for one more, but just two off it. 11 needed now, Klein to bowl the 49th, Nashier on strike.

Back on his feet, and laces the next ball through the covers for four more. But a couple of hobbled singles and now his suffering is at an end, holes out iscuing to mid on for an excellent 129 off 119. Abhinay in and it’s up to him and Nashier now as Smal makes his way off to well-earned applause.

Smal slam’s the first ball of the 47th over extra for six but collapses before the ball even crossed the rope. The cramp is back. Sweets and isotonic drinks being rushed out to the middle.

Seven off Klein’s penultimate over, Del Bianco to bowl out at the other end, and good from him, gives up just three off it. 26 needed off the last four. De Mey returns.

So bang on a run a ball needed from the last six for the hosts to claim bragging rights here. Smal still there on 114*, Nashier playing a fine supporting role. Klein back, he’s got two overs left, as does De Mey. Del Bianco’s only got one, Goedeke none, everyone else more than they can use.

Smal brings up his ton tucking Goedeke into space on the on side for a well-judged two, Nashier still with him and watchful. Smal been cramping up though, VRA may just run out of steam or bats before they cross the finish.

Meanwhile here at the Bos in what is proving, as predicted, both the hardest fought and least relevant gameof the round, Johan Smal battles on. He’s on 88* off 89 balls now as Udit Nashier sees off a maiden from Goedeke at the other end, Madgwick having fallen to Klein for said handy 32 a couple of overs back. Both very tense and extremely not-tense at the same time, this game.

Islam manages to get off strike, but it doesn’t help matters. Two balls later de Leede goes back looking to force Jabarkhail over the on side, doesn’t get hold of it and is caught for fifty expactly. Voorburg give up pole position heading into the final round as Hermes win by 29 runs.

Price finally breaks the stand, after being slog-swept for six by Musa, pushes one fuller and has him bowled for 84. Saqib Zulfiqar in for the final act, but the result is already plain. First ball of Prices next it’s the RCC skipper that seals it, through the covers for four. Riaz finishes unbeaten on 113 as Rotterdam win by 7 wickets, confirming VOC’s relegation to the Hoofdklasse.

Ouch, horrid way to get out for Glover, that. De Leede with a dead straight drive off Ralph Elenbaas, who gets down and gets a finger on it, into the poles at the non-strikers and Glover stranded. De Leede gets to fifty working Jamil through the on side for one, but regrets it next ball as Aaditt Jain is acastled for a four ball duck. Islam last man, inexplicably runs a bye on the last ball of the over to retain strike.

Back to back sixes for Riaz off Hoseinbaks over cow and straight take him to 99, then two balls lated forces one off the back foot out to long off for one to bring up his ton. Has probably crowded out Ahmad in the process you’d think.

Half century for Smal here meanwhile, and VRA fighting back into the ascendancy. Klein returns but his first ball back is overpitched and flayed through extra by Smal for four. MAdgwick still with him on a more than handy 31*

A third for Jamil, Rippon misses what looks a premeditated reverse and is bowled for 19. Glover in with de Leede now, the latter closing in on a half-century. Voorburg need 33 runs, Hermes 3 wickets…

Double bowling change, Price and Upadhyaya on now. The latter’s first back is a maiden on Musa, but next over Riaz skips down to the former and kifts him over long on for six. Next over he uses his feet to Upadhyaya too, laced through the off side field for four to take them past 200, when take a knee two balls later to sweep over square for six and overtake his partner. Another drive through the covers takes him to 81*, Musa on 75*. Just about still room for each to make a ton, that being the only interesting unknown in the match at this point.

Goedeke belatedly into the attack and his first ball is widish and full, Smal spanks it through the covers to the rope to move to 48*. Rest of the over tidier though. Kamran from the other end.

Rippon and de Leede looking comfortable enough at Harga too, fifty-odd to get now and plenty of time to get them, not a lot of wickets to spare though so a breakthrough could bring back some tension. Dutt back looking for the breakthrough.

Samir Butt on for a bowl, but an atmosphere of inevitability has descended on the Zomercomplex. Riaz goes to fifty stroking him through the covers for four, Ahmad in the seventies at the other end. 76 needed from 21 overs with eight in hand, this game is only heading one way.

Nelson strikes here at the Bos, though not too sure about that to be honest. Massive neck-high no ball from Del Bianco is flat-batted by Zaidi toward mid on, caught, and somehow given out. No idea why that wasn’t called. Really wasn’t close. Ahh well, Madgwick in now.

And another for Jamil as Klein is forward to defend, but it’s on with the arm past the edge and into the stumps. Could still get interesting this. Rippon in and off the mark flat batting one straight for four.

Harhangi back, Musa goes to fifty clipping him off the toes for a couple. Rotterdam still going at pretty much bang on a run a ball, VOC need wickets in a hurry if they’re to avoid or at least postpone the big drop.

Hundred up for Voorburg as Croes reverse sweeps Jamil for four through third, but three balls later Jamil strikes back, Croes pushing down the wrong line, into the pads and up goes the finger. Ryan Klein at seven.

RCC continue to look uncontainable, Ahmad closing in on a half-century, Riaz outpacing him at the minute. VOC look short of options and ideas at this point.

Four down as Nidamanuru guides a bit of a hit-me ball from de Mey outside off to backward point, he goes for a run-a-ball 21, Zaidi in after drinks.

Big wicket at Harga meanwhile, Jabarkhail gets Kaplan, maybe kept a shade low and inside edge into leg stump. Croes in.

Runs still coming here too as Smal muscles De Mey over midwicket for six. Still van Oosterom at the other end, Scholte standing up to him. Fairly relaxed atmosphere here at the Bos it must be said, on the balcony at least.

Ahsan Malik on now, Riaz strokes him fro four through extra, then dispatches a slot ball over midwicket for six. Brings up the hundred next over pushing one straight back past Hoseinbaks for one. 105-2 at drinks, VOC need to keep finding wickets here, only one result if RCC bat the fifty.

Kaplan and de Leede look unconcerned byt the three early wickets, understandable given the depth of the VCC batting card today. Both ticking along at a shade over a run a ball. Jabarkhail into the attack now.

Klein still, spears one down leg that evades the keeper and goes for five wides, but wide-wicket a bit of a theme this afternoon, next is back of a length and cramps Ahmad a bit as he looks to run it wide of the cordon, edged and held first slip. Nidamanuru in.

Hoseinbaks on and the second falls rather against the run of play, GOndal pushes one to de Kok at short midwicket, sets off for an obviously non-existent single and a long way short scrambling back. Riaz in.

And a third for Dutt, wide down leg set-up again, the next induces de Lange to follow as it spins away outside off and feathered through behind. Dare Hermes believe? De Leede at five.

Another down here, Cassidy drives van Oosterom striaght to mid-off. The in-form Shariz Ahmad in at four.

That early wicket has not slowed Rotterdam much, but then they never do. Gondal and Ahmad still scoring freely, almost exlclusively in boundaries. Close to a run a ball for the powerplay, Fletcher and Upadhyaya still looking for the second.

Two for Dutt, Hazoglou this time holing out to leg. Bit sloppy from Voorburg to start, Kaplan joins de Lange.

Back on here too, Sam Cassidy breaks out a lovely cover drive to put Kyle Klein away for four second ball, but that’s the only boundary so far. Van Oosterom tidy from the other end too, and then first ball of the third Klein strikes, Padda trying to brush him to leg, leading edge spirals up into the leg side, Del Bianco settlles under it and no mistake. Smal in at three to wild cheers from the balcony.

Back on at Harga too, spin to start with Dutt taking the first, Levitt and Hatzoglou opening. Goldilocks gambit from Dutt: wide down leg, width outside off and cut away for four, then straight, fullish and Levitt takes it on, high down the ground but won’t clear the man in the deep, gone for 4. Cedric de Lange in at three. Oli Elenbaas from the other end.

Tidy from Fletcher, then Upadhyaya is switched in for Harhangi to good effect. Minhas puts a slot ball away for a one-bouncer toward cow but the next is pushed up a little fuller and the swipe fails to connect into the pad. Minhas maybe thought it was headed down leg, but the umpire disagrees and there’s only one vote that counts. Gondal at three.

And no rest for the wicked, they’re back on at the ‘Plex. Musa Ahmad and Shoaib Minhas opening for the hosts, Harhangi takes the new ball. And a birsk start, Musa off the mark first ball bunting to leg off the hip, then Minhas puts the next away through point for the first boundary. Couple of couples then four more pulled through midwicket, beats the bat with the last and a muted appeal for caught behind, no joy, 13 off it. Fletcher from the other end.

Botha in full cry in the closing overs, racing to 142*. Goedeke just misses out on a ton, finishing with 94*, and the stand’s worth 229. A fine display by the two South Africans, and VRA will have a mountain to climb.

jain gets Elenbaas, caught by De Lange for 19, but Jamil stays to the end, and with some enterprising, if at times somewhat dodgy, running, he and Sam van Giezen get the total up to something Hermes might have an outside chance of defending. Jamil ends on 46*.

Botha reaches his century, then hits Shariz for back-to-back boundaries as HBS look to set a really challenging total. He’s on 109* now, Goedeke on 74*, and the stand’s up to 176.

And a five-for for Saqib, as he adds Harhangi and Hoseinbaks to his tally, and Upadhyaya is run out to end the innings. VOC’s highest total of the season, but will it be enough against Rotterdam?

Back-to-back boundaries for Van den Berg take him to 54* from 44 and Kampong past their target. Edwards on 48*, and Kampong win by 9 wickets.

Jamil and Ralph Elenbaas are picking up what they can in the closing overs, but Jain and Islam are keeping it pretty tight.

Teun Leijer on now, but 16 come from his first over as Kampong accelerate towards their target: Van den Berg 39*, Edwards 38*.

A double strike by Saqib. Malik goes back on his stumps and is trapped by one that keeps a little low, then Montague, having gone to 52, hits the softest of return catches. Roman Harhangi joins Ramdas Upadhyaya in the middle.

Ibaad Zaidi replaces Smal, but Goedeke’s reached his half-century now, and Botha and Goedeke have added 136. Botha’s on 86*.

De Lange removed Braat later in the same over, caught by Jain for 23, and it looks as if Voorburg will be chasing a pretty modest total.

Kampong almost halfway, with one over of the powerplay still to come. Pringle into the attack early, but that’s just a cue for Edwards to start sweeping.

And indeed, the runs are flowing again, Saqib proving rather expensive today. His six overs have cost 42, and Montague has gone on to 49*.

Nidamanuru persists with Smal from Mulder’s End, but Darsh Abhinay’s on now from the other. Botha’s gone on to 80*, Goedeke on 41*.

Cedric de Lange into the attack, and Statham, attempting to sweep, top-edges to fine leg, where Islam makes a lot of ground to snaffle the catch. Statham goes for 27, Mussayab Jamil joins Braat.

Van den Berg and Edwards are continuing to score freely in pursuit of their modest target, and HCC’s hopes of a miracle climax to the season are rapidly receding.

200 up at the Zomercomplex, with Montague now on 35*. They’ll need a few more to put Rotterdam under pressure, you’d think, but this has been VOC’s best batting performance of the season.

Drinks in Schiedam as well, but not before Braat has driven Hatzoglou for back-to-back fours, first with a stroke through extra cover, the second lofted back over his head. Croes brings back Jaynul Islam, but Statham and Brfaat are still there.

The stand’s now worth 100 as they take another drink in the Bos: Botha, starting to go through the gears, on to 70*, Goedeke 37*. VRA are in serious need of a wicket.

They’re back at Maarschalkerweerd, and Damien van den Berg doesn’t hang about, striking Brown for four and then six in his opening over. Neither does Max O’Dowd, but not so successfully: he top-edges Crowley’s first delivery to Teun Leijer at fine leg. Scott Edwards in at three.

saqib Zulfiqar into the attack, and initially Price and Montague go after him. He gets his revenge, though, as Price edges to Mohsin Riaz at slip and departs for 16. Ahsan Malik the new man.

Rippon beats Ostling with flight and bowls him for 36. Then in his next over Aryan Dutt tries to hit him over the pavilion and is caught by Bas de Leede without scoring. Hermes back in the throes, all that good work in jeopardy, as skipper Braat joins Statham.

The Botha-Goedeke partnership continues to thrive against Shariz and Smal: it’s up to 66 now, nothing silly or spectacular, just steady, sensible accumulation. Botha now on 43*, Goedeke on 31*.

Kampong have finished the innings off, Brown stumped by Edwards off Ingram for 35, Crowley caught by Roy off Zaheri Tawhid for 4, and Justin Trijzelaar caught by Ingram in the same over for a duck. HCC aare going to have to bowl very well indeed to claw their way back into this one.

At the Zomercomplex it has, to a degree, set in, Shafiq adding the scalps of De Kok, caught and bowled for 3 and Van der Meulen, caught behind by Singh for 6, to his tally. Worse still for VOC, Butt’s been run out for 54, and now it’s Montague and Price who are trying to build on that excellent opening stand.

Aaditt Jain returns, but Ostling’s gone to 35*, receiving solid support from Statham. 200’s a long way off, but at least the rot has been stopped for the time being.

Shariz Ahmad and Johan Smal operating now for VRA, but Botha and Goedeke continue to rebuild, Botha pulling Smal through square leg for four.

A fine piece of fielding by Ingram off his own bowling ends Wolfe’s stubborn resistance: Wolfe pushes back down the wicket, thinks he’s beaten the bowler and starts for a single, but Ingram moves swiftly to his right, gathers, and returns to the keeper before the batter can regarin his ground. Daniel Crowley joins Brown.

Finally a wicket for Rotterdam: Fourie sweeps Ahmad Shafiq to go past fifty, but the last ball of the over slides past his defence and into the stumps. He departs for 55, and Tim de Kok joins Butt, who’s on 46*.

Glover has switched to the Railway End, Michael Rippon now from the other. Runs still at a premium, although a straight drive from Ostling for four off Glover eases the pressure just a tad.

I should have stayed at Maarschalkerweerd, since Dhawan staged a repeat next ball, Clayton Floyd trapped in front as well. Josh Brown survived the hat-trick ball, and he and Wolfe are still there, battling to dig their side out of trouble.

The Crows pick up four overthrows as Botha and Goedeke take a quick single and the return misses the stumps at the non-striker’s end with no-one backing up. Drinks in the Bos as well.

Drinks at the Zomercomplex, with Butt now on 44* and Fourie on 42*. Are we really in for a Houdini weekend, with Hermes in trouble in Schiedam and VOC looking a bit menacing here?

More trouble for HCC, as Vivaan Dhawan comes into the attack and traps Kloppenburg in front for 21. That little stand hinted at a possible recovery, but it’s snuffed out before it can reallhy get going, and Kampong are firmly back in control.

Double bowling change for Voorburg, with Peter Hatzoglou and Don Glover into the attack. Hatzoglou’s conceded three runs from his three overs so far, as the leaders turn the screw.

A third for Hake: Mason trapped in front for 15. Kent Goedeke the new man.

Captains’ decisions being vindicated everywhere today, not least at the Zomercomplex, where Butt and Fourie are still bucking the trend. Sikander Zulfiqar has turned to Sulaiman Tariq and Burhan Niaz, but the batters are now on 38* and 31* respectively.

Jacod on from the University End, and almost immediately Pringle, who has faced 10 balls without getting off the mark, edges him to Roy at slip, who takes another very good low catch. Mark Wolfe, also called into the side today. joins Kloppenburg with HCC in all sorts.

Another at the BHO: Islam gets one to rear nastily at Elenbaas, and he can only fend it, head-high, to Bas de Leede at second slip. Nick Statham in at five.

Another for Hake, as Walbrugh goes caught behind by Adam Madgwick for 8. Lehan Botha in to join Mason.

Butt and Fourie have successfully negotiated the powerplay, Butt the more aggressive with 31* from 41 deliveries at this point. Still Haider and Gondal for Rotterdam.

Ostling and Elenbaas have started the rebuilding process in Schiedam, but they have a long way to go.

One brings two brings three for Kampong: Banerjee edges Sean Trouw, on for Ingram from the Pavilion End, to slip, where Roy takes a fine catch diving to his right. Then Gorlee joins him in the dug-out, chasing a wideish delivery from Roy and cutting it to Jacod in the slips. Tim Pringle in to join Kloppenburg, with his side in disarray.

Breakthrough at Maarschalkerweerd: Worden, having pulled Roy meatily though midwicket earlier in the over, is pinned off the final delivery, and the umpire’s finger goes up. Worden has a moment of quiet, possibly sceptical, contemplation, but he has to go, for 14. Boris Gorlee the new man.

De Mey gone in the Bos, chipping Hake to Johan Smal at midwicket. Tayo Walbrugh joins Mason in the middle.

Dreadful start for Hermes, Aaditt Jain removing both openers inside the first four overs. First Daniel Doyle cuts him straight to Bas de Leede in the gully, then David Rushmere, in Jain’s next over, edges to Ryan Klein at slip. Ash Ostling and Olivier Elenbaas together much earlier than they would have hoped.

Butt and Fourie, by contrast, have made a bright start against Gondal and Tehzeeb Haider, nothing too showy, but perhaps the basis of a decent total.

Sharad Hake and Tharun Moorthy share the new ball for VRA, but Julien de Mey and Reece Mason similarly weather the initial breeze, the only real excitement coming when De Mey guides Hake through cover point for four.

No Tonny Staal for HCC today, Zac Worden and Shirsak Banerjee the openers. They safely negotiate the opening exchanges with Alex Roy and Lorenzo Ingram.

Muhammad Gondal takes the new ball for Rotterdam, Samir Butt using his feet to the fifth ball of the over and driving sweetly through cover point for the first boundary of the morning. Butt’s partner is Francois Fourie, who becomes VOC’s umteenth opener of the season.

Jaynul Islam starts from the Pavilion End at the BHO, Doyle and Rushmere opening for Hermes. A string of three singles off the first, and Aaditt Jain will bowl the second from the Railway End.

Except at the Zomercomplex, where Jason van der Meulen has decided to have a bat.

Clearly a day for putting the opposition in: in the Bos, Teja Nidamanuru has inserted visitors HBS.

Noah Croes won the toss in Schiedam, and similarly elected to field first.

First news of the toss is from Maarschalkerweerd, where Alex Roy has won the toss and invited HCC to have a bat. And some team news: Tim Pringle turns out for the Lions for the first time this season.