Topklasse Live | Round 14 | As it Happened

And done. Floyd goes after Raza on the first ball of the 42^nd, but can only sweep into the hands of deep midwicket as ACC win by 75 runs. HCC stay below Sparta on net run rate, both having been leapfrogged by Punjab today on points. So that’s your top four; Voorburg, Punjab, Sparta and HCC.

Tariq thumps Manjinder Singh for four, but then lofts him to Ferdi Vink at cover point, and it’s all over. HBS safe, Excelsior still with some sweating to do. HBS win by 130 runs.

The pressure tells, another mix-up sees Overdijk run out for seven, and then Patel is cleaned up by Reddy first ball in the next over. Crowley lasts three before being bowled bay Raza in the next, and HCC’s chances of second (or indeed third) place are receding rapidly. Venter last man.

A Michelle for Adendorff, as Rens van Troost edges a catch to Barresi at slip and departs for 31. Rick Zegers the last man..

150 up for HCC meanwhile, but the asking rate’s creeping up toward a run-a-ball. Overdijk and Floyd in the middle, Hans and Arya for the hosts as the latter produces a maiden for the 33^rd, Overdijk yet to score..

Three balls later it’s done. A boundaryless 42-run stand for the ninth wicket preserves Voorburg’s winning streak, as Voorburg win by 2 wickets.

A fourth for Adendorff, as Baker reaches outside off and gets an edge through to Scholte. The End Is Nigh, and HBS can start planning another year in the Topklasse. The new man is Luqman Tariq, whose last top-flight appearance was fifteen years ago, for Sparta.

Meanwhile van Vliet and Boissevain’s obduracy continues to frustrate Sparta, the improbable defence, briefly plausible, now looking all but impossible again. Just five to get.

HCC in trouble now, Doram goes sweeping over a straight one from Hans, then Kloppenburg is stranded half way after being sent back by Floyd as a direct hit from Rahil Ahmed catches him well short. Overdijk in..

Woutersen’s the next to go, trapped in front by Adendorff. Umar Baker in at nine, as HBS gradually turn the scre..

Hans has another caught in the deep on the sweep, Charumbira failing to clear deep backward square this time. Teun Kloppenburg joins Doram.

Boissevain and van Vliet are still eking out runs at Bermweg, 31 to get, still plenty of time but just two wickets in hand. Kroesen and Singh for the hosts.

It can’t last, though: Stan van Troost pulls Ferdi Vink, who’s on from the Sportlaan End, into the hands of Drummond at deep midwicket and goes for 36. Adam Woutersen, who retired several years ago, joins Rens van Troost..

Double breakthrough at ‘t Loopveld as Gorlee is caught in the deep off a sweep off Hans, before Staal skies a top edge next over off Hobson, who holds the high catch himself. Doram and Charumbira now for HCC.

182 still needed, and you’d think that the win is probably out of reach for Excelsior. But every run counts, and Stan van Troost has made his way to 30*. Benno Boddendijk into the attack from the Scoreboard End.

Kroesen gets a third as Shariz is caught for 32, then three balls later Nieuwoudt is caught off Clark. Voorburg stumbling here, still 43 to get and two new bats at the crease in Boissevain and Kingma. And Kingma goes first ball. Voorburg crumbling, five wickets in four overs. 162 looks a long way off now as Mees van Vliet comes to the middle.

Staal goes past fifty slamming Hans over the midwicket rope for six, HCC closing in on three figures, pretty much dead on the asking rate with plenty of wickets in hand.

Another for De Mey: Niels Etman skies him to long on, and Adendorff’s under it. Excelsior’s NRR could take a real hit here, and even though their current advantage over Salland is considerable, they aren’t yet 100% safe. Stan van Troost’s on 22* at the moment, and he and brother Rens need to build a partnership.

Joost Kroesen comes into the attack for the 27^th over and makes an immediate impact. Pins Musa Ahmad LBW for 53 with his first ball, then has Kulkarni caught off the next for a golden duck. Karl Nieuwoudt joins Shariz.

And De Mey removes Verhagen, who lofts a rather half-hearted drive and is caught by Manjinder Singh at mid-on. He goes for 19, and Excelsior are in real trouble now.

Hundred up for Voorburg, Musa and Shariz Ahmad’s half-century stand for the fourth wicket has put them well in control of the chase. Musa’s closing in on a fifty of his own, while Shariz has struck a fluent 31* off 34. Singh and Bashir operating for Sparta, in dire need of a breakthrough.

Adendorff and Klein have continued to call the shots, Verhagen and Van Troost able to hang in there but not to create any momentum. The rate required’s already beginning to climb. Julian de Mey into the attack.

They’re back on at ‘t Loopveld. No overs lost as yet. Gorlee in with Staal now, Vandiar was indeed caught behind off Reddy just after bringing up the fifty partnership…

Adendorff strikes a massive blow for HBS, as Ingram plays outside off, the field go up, and so does the umpire’s finger. Ingram stands for a moment, perhaps wishing he could ask for a DRS review, but he has to go, for 4. Stan van Troost in to join Verhagen with HBS well on top..

And it’s all over at Hazelaarweg, Saqib and Sikander seal the win with an unbroken 129-run stand for the fourth wicket, as Punjab win by six wickets, confirming their place in the final four. VOC are out of the running, and will have to console themselves with their T20 title and attendant trip to Spain for the ECL next year.

The brothers Ahmad are getting the chase back on track after Snoep’s early wickets, Musa on 37* now, Shariz on 14*.

Hart follows, well caught by Barresi at first slip off Klein for 15. Ingram in to join Verhagen. Excelsior’s target, by the way, is 271, the HBS total having had a (non-DLS) adjustment during the interval.

Fifty for Saqib Zulfiqar, and Sikander’s just a couple of runs behind him. Century partnership, and the pair have batted VOC right out of this game and out of the running for a top-four spot.

VCC’s chase has hit a bit of turbulence as Snoep bags two in three balls in the 11^th, to dismiss Levitt and Croes. Engelbrecht in with Musa now. Scratch that, Engelbrecht gone LBW for a seven-ball duck. Three for Snoep..

Vandiar and Staal have gotten HCC off to a steady start at ‘t Loopveld as Reddy replaces Raza, Staal takes a liking to him and hits his fourth ball for six. The pair close in on a half-century stand, but looks like Vandiar’s gone now, caught behind just before the rain interrupts matters. Scorers having a bit of a mare so not sure of the exact game state but I’d guess 50-ish for one after maybe 10 or so.

And they’re back at Craeyenhout, Nic Adendorff starting from the Scoreboard End to Luuk Kroesen. Apparently unimpressed by the lack of a second wide call outside off, Kroesen helpfully grabs the chalk and re-marks the guide line which now stands out like a good deed in a naughty world. Much good it does him, as he slashes at another wide delivery and, after a long consultation between the umpires he’s given out caught by Reece Mason. That’s been a pretty eventful couple of minutes! Roel Verhagen joins Hart, the Silent Witness at the other end.

Having weathered the early pressure, Saqib and Sikander have batted Punjab into a dominant position here. 72 runs the partnership is worth now as de Kok cycles through his bowlers. Hoornweg into the attack for the first time now as they search for a breakthrough.

Back on at ‘t Loopveld too, Vandiar up the order to open with Tonny Staal. Hobson and Raza for the hosts..

And the chase is underway at Bermweg meanwhile, Levitt and Musa Ahmad opening, Snoep and Singh share the new ball.

Hoseinbaks and Jain still bowling, as they have unchanged since the start of the chase. They’ve kept the pressure on admirably until now, but only have one over apiece left. And as I type Hoseinbaks figures are spoiled in his ninth over as Saqib Zulfiqar takes him for two boundaries in the 18th.

Klein continues to swing lustily, also playing some fine strokes, and by the close he’s reached 74*. Singh also does his bit, until he tries to smash Hart into the Sportlaan and loses his middle stump. His 14 came from just 6 deliveries. Benno Boddendijk lasts just one ball, and Klein finishes it off with a six.

A third for Hoseinbaks, Asad caught Berry for 16 and Punjab are down to their last pair of Zulfiqars as Sikander joins Saqib..

Fifty for Klein, but he loses Adendorff, caught by Hart at deep midwicket off Ingram for 4. Then Julian de Mey’s run out by Klein without scoring as HBS look to push on in the final overs. Manjinder Singh in at eight.

Hoseinbaks strikes again, holding a return catch to dismiss Rehmat Zulfiqar for 25. Saqib in to join Asad.

Kuhn finishes with a flourish, targetting Overdijk in the final over to plunder 18 more runs, bringing up his ton off the final ball, which he slog-sweeps for six over square. He finishes on 104*, having taken ACC t0 247-7.

Tarr falls seven short of a well deserved century, pinned LBW by Levitt for 93. Seven balls later it’s time for Lunch as Hoornweg is bowled by Shariz to complete yet another 5-fer and wind up the innings. 163 will be the target after the break.

Having reached his century Walbrugh goes after Verhagen, succeeding only in finding Rens van Troost at deep mid on. He goes for 104, and Nic Adendorff joins Klein, on 47*.

Ingram comes back himself, without immediate result. We’ve had a brief interruption for rain at Craeyenhout; it doesn’t faze Walbrugh, though, who checks his guard before pushing Ingram down to long on to move to 99*. Two balls later he cuts him square for four to reach three figures yet again – where would HBS have been without him.

Heino Kuhn is soldiering on at ‘t Loopveld, but wickets are tumbling at the other end. Two run-outs and now Charumbira has Wolfe caught and bowled, Kuhn running out of time and partners if he wants to get to even his century, much less the 200 runs for the weekend that he was promising last week.

Tarr is closing in on a ton, he’s on 91* now, but loses another partner as Shariz has Snoep stumped off a wide for 10. Bashir in..

Hart returns from the Scoreboard End as Ingram searches for the wicket Excelsior so badly need, with Verhagen, bowling medium pace, from the Sportlaan End. But the runs continue to flow, Walbrugh moving inexorably towards a fifth century of the season. He’s on 94* now, with Klein on 41*.

One way or another VOC’s innings has come to an end, with fully 23 overs unused. Quite a fightback from Punjab, who waste little time in getting started on the chase. Rehmat Zulfiqar and Mian opening, but VOC have an early wicket as the latter is pinned LBW by Hosienbaks in the second over.

Venter finally breaks the stand as Hobson drives uppishly and is well held by a diving Floyd at cover. Raza joins Kuhn, who’s on 64*.

They’re taking another drink at Craeyenhout, with Walbrugh having advanced to 76*. Kyle Klein’s still with him, having made a brisk 26*, and Excelsior will be hoping that the break brings a breakthrough.

Double strike from Boissevain removes Kroesen and Latif in succession, Snoep in to join Tarr, who’s holding the innings together, unbeaten on 71..

Century partnership for Hobson and Kuhn now, the former drivinf the scoring with 60* off 88, Kuhn still six off his own half-century.

Fifty for Garnett Tarr, and a crucial one in the circumstances. He and Kroesen have taken Sparta to three figures, Boissevain and Musa Ahmad operating for VCC.

The collapse is now dramatic, Sikander Zulfiqar collecting two in one over. First Jain hits a return catch, and than Roman Harhangi is bowled. Asief Hoseinbaks joins Upadhyaya..

Barresi falls for 33, chopping a gentle ball on fourth stump from Verhagen into middle. Kyle Klein joins Walbrught, who’s on 57*.

Punjab are fighting their way back at the Hazelaarweg, Sikander Zulfiqar getting Niaz caught by brother Saqib for 5. Jelte Schoonheim in at seven. Shafiq returns, and immediately has Schoonheim stumped by Asad Zulfiqar for 1. Ramdas Upadhyaya joins Jain, with VOC suddenly in trouble..

Hundred up for HBS as Barresi carves van Troost over backward point for four., and Walbrugh closing in on a half century at the other end.

O’Dowd takes the long handle to Tariq, smacking him for back-to-back sixes, but then he holes out to one or other of the S Zulfiqars and departs for 79, made from 55 deliveries with eleven fours and three sixes. Arnav Jain the new man.

Hobson and Kuhn have added 36 of the 4^th wicket, crucial partnership for ACC, this. Doram and Venter for HCC.

Sparta in trouble now as Shariz strikes again, Clark falls for 1 caught Engelbrecht, Kroesen joins Tarr, who’s on 35*.

Fifty for Edwards now as well, from 39 balls in his case with eight boundaries, and things are looking pretty bleak for Punjab. But Tariq gets the breakthrough, Edwards caught by Santosh Baranidharan for a 49-ball 65. O’Dowd on 64*, joined now by Burhan Niaz.

Sparta lose another just before drinks, as Ferguson is bowled by Shariz Ahmad. Clark in.

Fifty for O’Dowd, off 42 deliveries with eleven boundaries, soon followed by the century partnership. Suleiman Tariq and Sikander Zulfiqar into the attack as Punjab search for a much-needed third wicket. O’Dowd 54*, Edwards 44*, and the last five overs have produced 53 runs.

Ingram strikes in his second over, Mason LBW, Barresi in. Rens van Troost from the other end now.

Second down at Bermweg, where Nieuwoudt bowls Singh for a belaboured 8 off 38.

ACC lose another as Charumbira has Wegener caught for 19. Kuhn in at five.

Saqib Zulfiqar into the attack early, but O’Dowd and Edwards each take a boundary off his first over, which goes for ten runs. Sohail Bhatti now from the other end, but the rebuilding process continues apace, the stand now worth 66, 44 of them in boundaries. O’Dowd on 32*, Edwards on 29*.

Mason and Wlabrugh settling in for HBS, taking the hosts to 40 without further loss. Has been Hart and Etman for the powerplay, Ingram on now as the field spreads.

O’Dowd and Edwards are understandably cautious at first against Shafiq and Mubashar Hussain, but they’re gradually starting to build some momentum: two boundaries apiece as they start to reconstruct the innings.

ACC have lost both their openers meanwhile, Crowley the man responible we think. Hobson and Wegener in now.

HBS one down as well as Drummond is caught off Etman in the third over. Walbrugh in to join Mason.

Raza and Singh open for Sprata, the former gets after Kingma in the first over, taking 15 off it. Nieuwoudt produces a maiden in the next hoiwever, and then van Vliet goes one better, removingRaza by way of a maiden Topklasse castch for debutant Floris van Hoogdalem. Tarr at three.

Three changes to the VOC side from yesterday: Roman Harhangi is back from U-19 duty, and Jelte Schoonheim and Arnav Jain are back as well. Arham Mian makes his debut for Punjab. Who get off to a sensational start, Muhammad Shafiq claiming two wickets with his first five deliveries. Francois Fourie is caught behind by Asad Zulfiqar, and Lane Berry goes first ball, caught by either Sikander or Saqib Zulfiqar. Scott Edwards in to join Max O’Dowd.

Singh puts van der Molen over the midwicket rope and onto the nets to tie the scores, then dinks a single to finish things off. He finishes unbeaten on 134 off 71 and barely seemed to break a sweat doing it. VRA win by 7 wickets. That was not close.

Salland have just been utterly outclassed by Singh here. Has looked like he might get out the last couple of overs but only out of haste and boredom. There’s been a couple of sixes that only just cleared the boundary riders, but most have been a ways back. Nidamanuru’s gone that way but it wasn’t gonna matter. Scully also having a swing on the home stretch now..

Singh goes to 100 bunting Gopinath into the on side for a single, then looks to cut loose. Glorious lofted drive over wide long on denied six only by clipping the foliage of the VRA tree, which is inside the rope today. Gets it straighter on the next ball though, six. VRA look keen to get this done, which is understandable given it’s like almost half seven already.

And all over at Bermweg, Sardha takes them home with two balls and three wickets to spare..

Smal takes VRA to 150 slamming Gopinath back over his head into the sight screen, but two overs later he creams Naqash to point where Lubbers takes the catch. He goes for 30, Nidamanuru in to join Singh, who’s in the 90s.

Kroesen falls for 45, caught off Ahmad. A sliver of hope for ACC but just 16 to get off three..

Just lost balls delaying what looks like a cakewalk for the hosts at this point. The mat is flat.

Clark goes for 75, cleaned up by Reddy, but Kroesen looks to have the task in hand. He’s into the 40s, joined now by Sardha, 26 needed from the last five..

Short from Sherzad and hooked contemptuously for six by Singh. Two balls later he’s convinced he’s got his man pinned in front but the umpire clearly indicates he was unsighted by the bowler himself running down the pitch. Not a huge deal given it’s the mat, but cost him a shout there. Insult to injury as Singh takes ten off the next two to go past fifty. VRA cruising..

VRA too, Gopinath and Barathi now but Singh and Rasool look utterly untroubled. Scratch that, Rasool very troubled now as Barathi bowls him through the gate. Johan Smal at three..

Sparta still on track.

Clark has his fifty, Kroesen still with him, Sparta well on track.

Sherzad into the attack and made to regret it as Rasool slams him for back-to-back sixes over long off. Batholomew at the other end looks like he’s gonna get out of his over before Singh deplos a short arm jab that flies over the sight screen, the water and the road.

Hundred up for Sparta, Clark closing in on a half-century..

And we’re back, Rasool and Singh to open, Bartholomew with the new ball. Three off his first, Ganesan at the other end.

Tarr falls for 20, caught off arya by Hobson, Kroesen in with Clark now, who’s on 32* off 32.

Charumbira finishes it with two fours and two sixes, and HCC do their net run rate a power of good, winning by seven wickets.

Doram smashes his first ball for six, then it’s six and out for Alphonse, who’s caught by Edwards off Hoseinbaks. Charumbira in to join Doram.

A couple of late wickets does little to slow the scoring, Lubbers goes for 41 off 28, van der Molen is bowled in the final over by Dutt, and then Bartholomew turns down a decent shot at a second run on the final ball of the over; preserving his average of about 15, running out Sherzad, and earning the eternal contempt of all right-thinking people. 225 will be the target.

All-spin attack now as Seelaar and Hoseinbaks bowl in tandem. HCC are cruising, although Hoseinbaks gives his side some forlorn hope as Gorlee holes out to Seelaar for 19. Alphonse is still there on 29*, joined now by Doram..

Clark and Tarr steadying the ship for Sparta meanwhile, 36 they’ve added for the 4^th wicket.

Finally a catch in the deep sticks, and it’s van Luin that takes it off Visser, Naqash the victim. Lubbers still there though on 41*, joined by van der Molen whose first single takes Salland to 200.

Hoseinbaks into the attack; runs pretty hard to come by at the moment, although Gorlee eases the tension with a boundary off Niaz. But HCC can afford to be patient, needing only 72 more from 30 overs.

Balbirnie the culprit this time as Lubbers is reprieved, regulation catch in the deep goes down off van Luin. Two balls later he has the wicket they wanted though, Ottachchige feathering through to the keeper chasing a short ball and gone for 82. Naqash in..

Sparta lose another as Bukhari is bowled by Hobson. Clark in at five.

There’s the breakthrough: Staal caught by Van Wingerden off Niaz for 16. Boris Gorlee in at three.

Balbirnie into the attack and looks to be causing trouble, beats the bat a couple of times and then should have had Ottachchige caught in the deep, but Dutt was slow to pick it up. Lubbers then runs it in by clubbing him for two straight sixes down the ground, nothing going the hosts’ way today.

Sparta have lost both openers early meanwhile, Hobson removing Ferguson and Ahmad doing for Singh, both caught behind..

VOC need early wickets, but Alphonse and Staal have begun solidly enough, Staal putting Niaz over the rope in his second over. Hoornweg keeps it tight, but tight’s not enough in this situation.

Another down here, Raxworthy given LBW to Nidamanuru, no shot offered, never a good look. Victor Lubbers in at five with his side stuttering slightly, Ottachchige still there though and into the sixties.

Back on at Bermweg too, Ferguson and Singh open, Hobson with the new ball..

Nidamanuru on after drinks, but it’s van Luin that finds the long looked-for wicket with Nelson up, Khan prodding down the wrong line and struck in front, looked pretty good from our admittedly terrible vantage point. Raxworthy at four..

They’re back at De Diepput, Hoornweg starting to Alphonse and Staal. A single for the former and a wide the only scores. Niaz from the other end.

Khan launches van Luin over the square rope for six, hundred comes up Salland two balls later as Ottachchige goes to fifty glancing to fine leg for one. Outfield saves another four but next ball Ottachchige puts some extra effort into the swivel-pull and beats the man a deep square. Salland well on top at drinks.

Van Luin and Visser have calmed things down a bit, aided by a very sluggish outfield. Anything aerial has been plugging dead, probably saved the hosts ten runs already. Ottachige closing in on a half-century already, he’s on 45*.

Salland still coming hard, aggressive running keeps things ticking before Ottachchige launches Dutt over the midwicket rope into the tent where his team-mates have sat themselves. Van Luin replaces Singh.

Floyd back, Hoseinbaks clipping him off his pads for four, then taking four more next ball to take VOC into three figures. He shows some real enterprise, reverse sweeping Floyd for a couple, but it can’t last: he eventually holes out to Overdijk at long on. 17 valuable runs, and VOC have something at least to bowl at.

Snoep finishes things off in the final over, ACC bowled out for 195.

Salland finish the abbreviated powerplay on 57 without loss. Dutt’s had a change of ends and has been keeping a lid on things, but runs have been leaking at the other end. Singh continues to back himself though, and finds reward in the form of Ganesan’s wicket, splitting his stumps for 31. Talha Khan in at three.

Fifty for Kuhn from 58 balls, and a crucial knock again from him. Loses another partner nnow though as Ahmad is bowled for 18. Arya in, and Kuhn falls for fifty caught Bukhari. One over to go .

We should probably upgrade Doram’s spell to superb: 9 – 4 – 14 – 4 takes some beating. Dutch selectors, please take note! Overdijk returns from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, and he removes Upadhyaya, who finds the pace uncomfortable and eventually cuts him straight to Floyd at point. Max Hoornweg the last man..

Singh takes over from Dutt after just one over, starts with five wides down leg but might have had a wicket three balls later, Ganesan pulls hard to Balbirnie at short midwicket, right at him but an awkward height and he puts it down. Insult to injury as Ottachchige lifts him over cover for four two balls later. Salland off to a flier.

Another for Doram: Van Wingerden drives uppishly, and is well caught by Crowley at midwicket. Jamil’s now on 29*, and is joined by Ramdas Upadhyaya. But Jamil’s the next to go, extra lift taking him high on the bat and flying to Gorlee at extra cover. He goes for 29, Asief Hoseinbaks the new man.

Another down as Hans is caught off Clarke for 9, Ahmad joins Kuhn, who’s on 38*.

Eventful first over, Ottachchige sepositing Visser high over the square leg rope for six the highlight, but Visser has a measure of revenge, twice striking him in the most uncomfortable of places. Delay as a new box is run out, Dutt from the other end..

Doram continues a fine spell from the Scoreboard End: after seven overs he has three for 11. Charumbira supports him busily from the other end, but Jamil is still there, Van Wingerden content to hold an end up at the moment

Kumar goes for ten, Tarr taking a fine diving catch off the bowling of Clarke. Mahesh Hans in.

Salland at close to full strength today, while VRA are missing a few. No Abid or Turmaine for the hosts, while Nashier and Jain are of course on under 19s duty. Luke Scully back into the side, though Peiris is expected to keep. One point would have been as good as two for the visitors today, but depsite some persistent damp patches around it’s game on. Ganesan and Ottachchige opening, Visser takes the new ball..

Crowley gets into the act, Niaz failing to get on top of a rising delivery and clipping the ball to Clayton Floyd at point. He goes for 2, Mussayab Jamil the new man.

Kroesen finds the breakthrough, Potdar LBW for 26. Hobson joins Ahmed, who’s into the thirties.

Lunch itself delayed, but unlikely to make much difference. Still a loit of drying to be done. Bit of a breeze now and plenty of sunshine so hope springs eternal.

Burhan Niaz lets the hat-trick ball go outside off, and then sees out the over, a double wicket maiden for Overdijk. A quieter over from Crowley yields just three, and Overdijk concedes just a triad of singles from his next as Berry and Niaz look to consolidate after the shock disappearance of their two current internationals.

Berry cracks an initial loosener square for four, then does it again to the next one. A drive through extra cover yields two, and VOC are off and running. But then Overdijk gets a crucial breakthrough: O’Dowd misjudges a full delivery and is bowled for 3. Then Scott Edwards doesn’t offer a shot to his first delivery and is also bowled! Lions Rampant at De Diepput!.

Hidde Overdijk bowls the first over from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, initally to Lane Berry who tucks the second delivery away to midwicket for a single. Which brings O’Dowd to the business end, and he drives his first ball firmly into the covers for a couple. Daniel Crowley with the new ball from the Scoreboard End.

Potdar and Ahmed still together, fifty up for ACC. Clark now with ball in hand.

Both sides are at close to full strength: Max O’Dowd back for VOC, Pieter Seelaar in the side as well, while for HCC Ratha Alphonse is back behind the stumps. HCC are missing Teun Kloppenburg, of course, and VOC are without Roman Harhangi; both involved in today’s final round of Under-19 World Cup Qualifier matches..

They’ve had a long look and decided to take an early lunch.

Potdar and Ahmed continue to make steady progress for ACC, on 14* and 13* respectively. Bashir into the attack..

And success! HCC win the toss and will bowl. 13.30 start, 41 overs aside.

Lovely weather here now. Inspection at 13.15, rising optimism.

Yet another inspection at 13.00.

They’re underway at Bermweg, Potdar and Ahmed opening for ACC, 17 without loss after five..

Another inspection at 12.30.

Sparta win the toss and bowl, start at 12.42, 45 overs each way.

Inspection at noon at de Diepput.

Looks like we’ll be getting started at Bermweg first, toss at noon for a 12.30 start.

We’re going to be in for a long wait here at the Bos. standing water on the square this morning. The optimistic prediction is a 1pm start on the artificial, but that would be a remarkable effort IMVHO. Blue sky approaching though, reckon there will be some play at some point.

Outfield still wet at Bermweg too, but they’ll be taking another look shortly. Inspection at 11.30.

The rain’s taken a heavy toll on the square at the Bos , will be on the artificial today we gather.

Rain has stopped at de Diepput we hear, but there will be a delayed start as we wait for things to dry out. No word on inspection time as yet, hopefully won’t be long.