Topklasse Live | Round 15 | As it Happened

Overdijk and Crowley continue to plunder the bowling until Sikander gets one through his defences and into the stumps. He leaves with 16 to his name, and Henrico Venter’s the last man. Tariq bowls the last, or more precisely the last two deliveries, since Overdijk skies his second to Saqib at long off, and departs for 34. Useful innings, and HCC will probably be happier with their total than Punjab at the prospect of the chase..

Bhatti returns, and Charumbira clouts him to Saqib Zulfiqar at long off, providing him with his fourth wicket. Daniel Doram starts by driving him through long off, then stylishly drives through extra for another. But then he holes out to Shafiq off Sikander, perishing in the interests of his team. Daniel Crowley in to join Overdijk, and gets a very useful edge to third man past a desperately diving Asad.

No half-century for Heggelman on his valedictory, he’s down the track swinging selflessly and yorked by Bartholomew for 46. He’s done a job for his side however, Excelsior finish on 253-7.

Now the tempo starts to accelerate: Shafiq’s switch to the Zuiderparkweg End is less than happy, as first Charumbira lofts him over the long on boundary and then Overdijk despatches him over cover. His final over yields almost as many as the other nine, and he finishes with one for 32. The 200 comes up off Sikander’s next, and with five overs left Punjab are facing a biggish chase. Overdijk now on 24*, Charumbira on 31*.

HBS’ innings unravelling rapidly now, Boendermaker cleaned up by Visser, Boddendijk pulls Dutt to Jain at backward square, Scholte last man to join de Mey, who’s on 15*. And as I type, we’re all out of ravels. De Mey bowled by Visser and 170 will be the target.

Charumbira gets off the mark by easing Bhatti over midwicket, and Overdijk runs him down to third man for four. But boundaries are few and far between, and with ten overs left they take another drink with the game interestingly poised. This partnership is probably crucial if HCC are to set Punjab a really substantial target, but on the other hand the way HCC bowled and Punjab batted yesterday might suggest that 200 would be enough.

200 up for Excelsior but they lose a big wicket in Ingram, caught on the rope slog-sweeping Gopinath. Butt joins Heggelman.

HBS suddenly in trouble now. Nidamanuru has Adendorff caught at slip, then a couple of overs later van Luin bags two in two, Barresi cutting a high wide ball to deep point and then Khan very bowled indeed as van Luin finds the top of off and the bail arcs up and all the way out of the circle. Boendermaker in with de Mey now.

HCC have a bit of work to do, and Floyd and Overdijk set about doing it. But they also need to create some momentum, and at the moment Bhatti and Shafiq are succeeding in restricting the scoring to singles. Sikander Zulfiqar on for Shafiq from the Equestrian Centre End, but the momentum is initiated by Floyd, striking Bhatti over midwicket for six. Short-lived, though, because three balls later he edges a lifting delivery through to Asad Zulfiqar. Patient Charumbira in.

Six and out again at Excelsior, Stan van Troost hitting against the spin to swing Bharathi away over midwicket, but pinned in front next ball for 21. Heggelman joins Ingram for perhaps the last time.

Shafiq returns, again exercising excellent control. Until he drops one into the slot, and Vandiar puts it away in front of square for a rare boundary off the left-armer. Finally, though, he makes a mistake, getting a leading edge to a swipe at Bhatti and falling to a falling catch by Yasir Usman at deepish mid-off. He goes for 65, and Hidde Overdijk is the new man.

Drinks here with the match interestingly balanced, Barresi and Adendorff have dug in but there’s not a whole lot of batting to come behind them. Barresi’s 2 away from a half-century, but HBS will need more than that from him.

150-up for Excelsior, but they’ve lost another wicket, Ottachchige and Bharathi combining again and it’s Verhagen that’s the victim this time, stumped for 18. Ingram in with van Troost now.

A bit of luck for Kloppenburg as he edges Saqib past Shafiq and down to the third man rope, and the leg-spinner finishes with two for 39 from his ten-over spell. More fireworks from Kloppenburg, down on one knee and lofting Bhatti over long off for his fourth six. But he tries to do it again next ball, skying the ball towards the gully, keeper Asad Zulfiqar running across to take the catch. His 36 came from 30 deliveries, a very enterprising knock. The other side of a drink, Clayton Floyd joins Vandiar..

Far be it from me to swear on the internet, but you know that stuff that gets wickets? That’s what Nashier just served up to Klein, who clubs a full toss straight down the throat of Visser at mid on. Adendorff joins Barresi, who’s on 32*.

Ah, the fearlessness of youth! Kloppenburg brings up the hundred with a towering six over midwicket off Saqib. Sohail Bhatti into the attack from the Zuiderparkweg End, just a brace for Vandiar off his first. They’re mostly content thereafter to deal in singles, but Vandiar moves on to 56* and Kloppenburg to 26*, from just 23 deliveries. Still Saqib from the Equestrian Centre End..

An eventful 26th over as Victor Lubbers oversteps, then sees the free hit sail back over his head off the bat of Verhagen. A ballhunt and a single later he gets Kroesen however, clipped down the leg side fine, too fine and a great take from Ottachchige behind the stumps. Stan van Troost in.

Three maidens on the trot for van Luin, but Barresi and Klein weather the storm before taking ten off Dutt on his return in the 26th. Still Turmaine at the other end, and he’s had another decent LBW shout turned down in the meantime, but no breakthrough. Barresi on 29* now, Klein on 11* as Nashier returns from Mulder’s end.

Vandiar effortlessly despatches Tariq over long off for six, but before the over’s out Kloppenburg shows that he can hit the ball cleanly as well, lifting him over extra to get off the mark with another six. And a full toss from Saqib is easy meat for the youngster, disappearing into the trees in front of square. Then Vandiar pushes Tariq back straight to bring up his half-century, from a comparatively sedate 69 deliveries..

Breakthrough at Thurlede, Hart down the track to Bharathi looking to go to fifty in style, misses and stumped for 48. Verhagen in with Kroesen now, who’s on 56*.

More steady progress, but then Gorlee falls to a truly superb catch by Shafiq at slip, diving far to his right to grab the ball as the HCC captain cuts Saqib fine, but too fine as it turns out. Outstanding by Shafiq, and Gorlee departs for 17. Vandiar’s on 39* now, and joined by Teun Kloppenburg.

Luuk Kroesen brings up the hundred partnership mullering Elam Bharathi over cow for six. He’s 48*, Hart one behind him. Lubbers to take matters into his own hands now, replacing Ganesan.

When Tariq drops short Vandiar strokes him effortlessly through the covers for another four, and then Gorlee sweeps Saqib through square leg for the same result. He book-ends the over with another sweep, this time to fine leg. Without doing anything too risky HCC are building the basis for a decent total: Vandiar on 32* as they take a drink, Gorlee on 12*.

Meanwhile at Excelsior Hart and Kroesen continue unperturbed as Lubbers cycles through his options. Elam Bharathi into the attack now.

Back on after drinks and van Luin strikes, Dummond trying to carve a widish short ball either over or wide of the slips, manages neither, straight into Smal at first chest high and taken. He goes for 25, Kyle Klein at five.

Double bowling change: Saqib Zulfiqar on at the Equestrian Centre End, getting away with a loosener which Alphonse tucks out for a single. He gets his man, though, as Alphonse, back on strike, makes to slog-sweep and is bowled for 6. Gorlee joins Vandiar, who’s on 26*.

It’s perhaps worth recalling that in three innings at ‘t Zomercomplex during his spell with Punjab last season Vandiar belted 370 runs, with 45 fours and ten sixes. He knows the dimensions of this ground! And there he goes again, swinging Hussain behind square for four. Alphonse gets off the mark with a square drive to the same boundary. Shafiq’s keeping things quiet from his end, just five from his five overs. And Tariq replaces Hussain from what m’ colleague would prefer us to call the Zuiderparkweg End, two coming from his first.

Turmaine into the attack and second ball has Drummond playing across his pad, struck low in front of middle and looks pretty plumb, Turmaine and Peiris are convinced but pretty lacklustre appealing from the rest of the field. Drummond survives.

There’s the breakthrough: Staal goes back to lash Shafiq through the on side, but only finds Saqib Zulfiqar at mid-on. He goes for 5, and Ratha Alphonse is in at three..

Meanwhile fifty up for Exclesior, and Salland turn to spin. Gopinath and Ganesan for the visitors.

Staal immediately off the mark with a single into the covers, Vandiar following suit with a deflection to fine leg for a couple and a rather awkward dab into the covers for one. Quiet enough until Vandiar despatches a Hussain half-volley into the trees beyond midwcket. Twice. He races to 17*, and HCC are off and running.

Spin at both ends now as Udit Nashier comes on from the Mulder’s End, and it takes him eight balls to find the breakthrough, Walbrugh miscuing to midwicket where Leon TUrmaine shows his team mates how to take a catch. Walbrugh goes for 8, 12 runs short of the 1,000 run season. Barresi in.

Muhammad Shafiq opens from the Equestrian Centre End, bowling to Jonathan Vandiar (no stranger to ‘t Zomercomplex, he!). Tonny Staal the non-striker. Apart from an initial wide, it’s right on the spot, and there’s no addition to the score. Mubashar Hussain from the Harbour End.

Aryan Dutt into the attack from the City End, and strikes first ball. Rags one in from well outisde off, Mason understandably planning on leaving it, too late to change his mind as it takes the top of off. Walbrugh in at three, off the mark last ball of the over, he needs 19 now for the four figure season.

Hart and Luuk Kroesen opening for Excelsior at Thurlede, Reinder Lubbers and Frazer Bartholomew opening the bowling..

We’re underway here at the Bos meanwhile, Drummond and Mason opening for HBS, Eddie Visser and Aaditt Jain share the new ball. Boundary apiece for the openers, lovely cover drive from Mason, Drummond an equally pretty cut through point.

Half hour delay at the Zomercomplex as we wait for the outfield to dry. Seems HCC will be batting first though, so apologies for our earlier conjecture.

Speaking of one-off returns, Stephan Myburgh is apparently turning out for Punjab today. And on departures, unconfirmed rumours that iconic skipper Sulaiman Tariq may be weighing retirement too. Looks like the hosts will be batting, but that’s equally unconfirmed for now.

Salland win the toss and put Excelsior in to bat at Thurlede. Big news there of course is that this will be Tom Heggelman’s last game for Excelsior, at least as a first team regular. One can never rule out one-off returns of course….

HBS win the toss at the Bos and elect to bat.

Well they’ve been dragging it out, but Turmaine slapping Rens van Troost over midwicket into the soggy outfield out deep for a jogged three takes them a significant step closer. Three to get, and the game is fittingly put out of its misery as Visser’s drive off Baker is misfielded at mid off and goes for four. One would hope not deliberately but honestly that’s what I’d have done. VRA win by 3 wickets.

Peiris goes slapping Baker into the hands of Ingram, VRA seem determined to force their ailing captain to the crease. Visser in now and Singh running out of warm bodies to throw at this chase.

Nashier decides to make things interesting by guiding Baker to slip. Turmaine in now, still 34 to get.

That leaves proceedings here at the Bos as the day’s only going concern, albeit now an irrelevant one. Fair to say VRA have made tough work of this chase but young Udit Nashier seems to have taken charge of things. He’s unbeaten on 26 at the minute with Sachin Peiris for company and 35 to get from plenty. Skipper Vikram Singh has a headache, we hear, so our hearts go out to him. He is unlikely to bat unless necessary, which presumably means not in this match.

The answer is no: two boundaries by Charumbira off Bashir bring HCC to the brink, and then with the scores level a Tom Hoornweg wide sees HCC home. They win by 4 wickets, and will play Punjab tomorrow in the qualifier semi-final or whatever term it is we’ve landed on for that game that you need to win to make the final.

And the collapse is complete at Westvliet…

Floyd decides enough is enough, hitting Sardha for two fours and a six in the space of three deliveries. Sparta need a miracle now…. and it may not quite be that, but Faizan Bashir returns to get Floyd caught behind by Ferguson for 20. Charumbira in to join Overdijk. Does this game have a twist in the tail?

Umar Baker into the attack, but while Smal has been rather becalmed he’s not missing out on a short one, over midwicket for six. He and Nashier have got the chase back on track here. But wait, another twist, Verhagen’s left arm slowish stuff gets a big wicket as Smal chips to Luuk Kroesen at mid-on. Peiris in..

Snoep returns to trap Alphonse in front for a 75-ball 31. HCC need 34 to win as Hidde Overdijk joins Floyd. Sparta need five wickets.

As rearguard actions go, Bharathi and Gopinath’s isn’t bad against the HBS youngsters, and it’s very useful experience for Khan and Boendermaker. They’re not doing anything daft, but they’ve managed to add 34 runs . . . But as I write that, De Mey returns from the Railway End, and he needs just one delivery, Bharathi driving uppishly into the covers, where Walbrugh takes the catch. Finn Raxworthy, for whatever reason, is unable to bat, so HBS win by 109 runs. And Salland are relegated.

VRA look to be back to batting on the same tired wicket we were all expecting, but so long as Smal’s there and Singh’s still to co0me they’re still favourites here. Slow going though, Ingram still from the City end, Verhagen now from Mulder’s bowling left arm whatever..

Bharathi and Gopinath are still there, but they’re just prolonging the agony, really. Barresi gives the ball to Boendermaker, who gets a couple to cut in viciously to Gopinath. At 14 he is a very considerable prospect. His first over’s spoiled only by a wide.

Punjab still hurtling down the road to nowhere, two more gone including Saqib, bowled Boissevain for 26. Usman come ond gone, Shafiq in with Baranidharan now, oh wait not any more, Baranidharan falls to van Vliet. Safe to say Voorburg are booking themselves a day off tomorrow and a direct pass to the final..

Sparta, though, aren’t ready to give in: Sawan Sardha, their seventh bowler, removes Gorlee and Teun Kloppenburg in the space of three deliveries, and HCC still have some work to do. Floyd joins Alphonse.

Yoran Visée into the attack, and his first over’s a wicket maiden, Batholomew pushing at his final delivery and edging to Scholte. Azzam Khan from the Pavilion End as we move into Endgame.

A third for Blankestijn as Dutt nicks off for 1 off 17, and VRA have played themselves into trouble here. Still no sign of Singh, Nashier at six..

Joost Kroesen gets the breakthrough, Staal caught behind by Ferguson for 33. But HCC are past halfway, and Alphonse is still there on 20* as he’s joined by Gorlee.

The slide continues, as Reinder Lubbers goes, out to a fine diving catch by Walbrugh at silly point as he’s squared up by Boddendijk. Bharathi in at nine, but it looks as if, as Omar Khayyam might say, the Moving Finger has Written..

Mees van Vliet breaks the stand at 44, pinning Sikander LBW for 14. Baranidharan in at six to join Saqib, who’s on 26*. Asking rate climbing toward the implausible now though…

Van der Molen falls to what may have been the Catch of the Season off Klein, although I confess I only saw the uppermost half of Barresi’s body as he dived to his left to clutch the edge millimetres from the ground. That’s the cue for a drink, with Salland heading rapidly for the exit..

Saqib and Sikander showing some fight at Westvliet, but the hosts still well on top..

Nidamanuru doesn’t last, yorked by Blankestijn band on the toes and no hesitation. Dutt in at five. Singh feeling a little under the weather we’re told.

HCC, meanwhile, are cruising towards tomorrow’s preliminary final, Staal and Alphonse untroubled against a succession of Spartan bowlers. They’re not rushing, but then, they don’t need to. Staal, though, has hit a couple of fours and a six in his 24*, Alphonse on 17*.

Another goes at Het Schootsveld as Sherzad (not, I repeat, NOT to be confused with Lubbers) fails to make a tight run and is run out by a direct hit from Boddendijk. He goes for 1 (not, as you might be led to believe, a duck), and the next ball it’s Lubbers who falls, top-edging a lifting delivery from Klein through to keeper Scholte. He made 8. Salland in real trouble now as Gijs van der Molen joins Bartholomew in the middle..

Another down here as Rasool is given caught down leg off Blankenstijn. He doesn’t seem too upset about the decision so I guess either he did hit it or he’s possessed of admirable composure. Nidamanuru at four.

Punjab lose another, as Bajwa’s tortured innings of 4 off 27 is brought to an end, caught Boissevain off Klein. Sikander joins Saqib in the middle. Innings continues to accelerate toward nowhere.

Klein had a couple of not-outrageous appeals for LBW turned down in his previous over, and his mood won’t have been helped by Lubbers driving him back down the ground for four. Runs are not coming readily, though, as Benno Boddendijk replaces Adendorff..

Bukhari’s another with radar problems, his second over containing no fewer than half-a-dozen wide deliveries. Sparta simply don’t have enough runs on the board for that kind of thing, or for the boundary Staal hits in the same over.

Well it looked a tired deck when Excelsior were batting on it, but Smal and Rasool are making it look a road. Five boundaries so far, a pick-up over backward square for six from Rasool and a straight backfoot drive for four from Smal the pick of them. Hart and Heggelman toiling for Excelsior..

Kyle Klein replaces De Mey, and opens with a maiden to Naqash. But he unleashes a lovely cover drive off Adendorff, and has a touch of luck when an outside edge eludes both the off stump and Scholte and runs to the third man boundary. No such luck off the last, however, as the edge flies to second slip, where Barresi takes a good low catch. He goes for 31, from 33, and is succeeded by Sherzad.

Another down at Westvliet, Kingma not spreading Asad’s stumps. This chase going nowhere fast..

Well now! Vandiar caught by Bukhari off Snoep without scoring! They couldn’t, could they? Ratha Alphonse in to join Staal.

They aren’r holding back, Naqash lofting De Mey over square leg for six and driving his next through extra cover for four, but when Ganesan tries to smack Adendorff back over his head he misses and the ball takes middle and off. No discussion about that one, as Ganesan goes for 20. Victor Lubbers in at four..

They’re back at the Bermweg as well, Snoep starting with a maiden to Vandiar, who’s opened with Tonny Staal. Mudassar Bukhari to bowl the second..

After that setback Ganesan and Naqash have counterattacked, as they are more less bound to do. A couple of boundaries apiece, but they’ll need something extraordinary if they’re to keep their hopes alive.

Back here at the Bos, Rasool opening with van Luin, at least he was, the latter goes for a duck inside edging Hart onto his stumps four balls into the chase. Smal at three.

They’re back on at Westvliet and Punjab under the pump early, three maidens on the trot from Kingma and Nieuwoudt, the middle one a wicket maiden as Nieuwoudt bowls Rehmat Zulfiqar for an 8-ball duck. Asad in with Bajwa.

They’re back at Het Schootsveld, and after Ganesan takes a boundary off Adendorff’s first over the Salland reply gets a terrible, pretty ugly start. Julian de Mey’s first delivery from the Railway End flies off the edge of Ottachchige’s bat, and keeper Martijn Scholte races across in front of slip to take the catch. Ottachchige waits, and when he sees the umpire’s finger go up he flings his bat away in rage. He continues to make his unhappiness evident as he walks off. Sahir Naqash in to join Ganesan.

Sardha gets to 21 before he drives Crowley to Staal at cover and the innings is all over. Crowley finishes with four for 16, and HCC have put themselves in the driving seat for a place in tomorrow’s elimination final..

It’s Charumbira who gets the wicket, though, Snoep sparring with one outside off and edging shoulder-high to Vandiar’s left at slip. He faced 105 balls for his 16, and if Sparta have something to bowl at it’s in large measure due to him. Tom Hoornweg the last man.

Heggelman starts to hit out at the death, lifting van Luin over long off for six, but loses another partner two balls later as Rens van Troost is run out. He brings up his half-century in the last over, hits one last boundary off Visser before being commendably run out off the last ball himsefl for 56. He’s done a fine job holding the innings together, but even on a used wicket the 169-run total looks a ways short of par.

You wouldn’t have bet on Sparta reaching three figures when they were 32 for six (indeed, we hope you wouldn’t have bet at all!), but they’ve battled their way there thanks to Snoep’s exemplary captain’s knock and support from the tail. Sawan Sardha’s providing that now, and he and Snoep are on 12* and 16* respectively. After one over from Henrico Venter from the Pavilion End, it’s Crowley back to try to finish things off.

Klein goes for a brisk 12 off 7, picking out deep midwicket off Hussain, but Nieuwoudt and Shariz keep the runs flowing, the latter taking VCC past 300 with two balls to go cutting Hussain over point for a couple. No boundaries off the final over, but the hosts will be happy with 303 on the board..

Khan brings up the 200, turning Bharathi behind square for four, and he and Boendermaker succeed in hustling the total along usefully in the final overs. It’s a slightly disappointing score after being 162 for one, but full marks to Salland for their comeback. It’s a chaseable target, but Lubbers’ men will know they also have to get the runs quickly if they’re to have a chance of staying up.

No such profligacy from Doram, who bowls another half-dozen dots to Snoep. He bowled 56 of them in his ten overs, and finishes with 10 – 6 – 4 – 1. Floyd resumes, and Prithvi Balwantsingh, who has been Snoep’s support for a long time, lifts him in front of square for six. But again it’s six and out, as he goes back to the next one and is bowled for 10. Snoep still there, with 9* from 81 deliveries.

Bharathi replaces Gopinath at the Railway End, and he gets Adendorff, clipping him firmly to Victor Lubbers in front of square and departing for 12. Elmar Boendermaker in to join Khan, and the Salland captain comes on from the Pavilion End to close out the innings.

And the stand is broken at Westvliet as Musa Ahmad miscues Bhatti into the on side and is caught for 102. Engelbrecht looks to keep the momentum going, launching Bhatti for a straight six four balls later, but holes out off Sikander first ball of the 47^th for 115 off 108. Shariz Ahmad and Ryan Klein in with three to go..

Overdijk finishes his ten-over spell with figures of one for 20, which probably do him less than justice. Floyd having got his man Doram’s back, another maiden, then one off his ninth. 9 – 5 – 4 – 1. Patient Charumbira into the attack from the Schollebos End, but he seems to have left his radar at home, three wides in a rather untidy over..

The runs have dried up rather for HBS, and with his final delivery Gopinath gets another: De Mey given LBW for 4. Four for 41 fron his ten overs for Gopinath, and Azzam Khan joins Adendorff with Salland clawing their way back into this.

Another down here at the Bos as Samir Butt goes back in the crease to Dutt and lofts high to Jain on the rope at long on. Shankar in. Visser from the other end.

Musa brings up his century first ball of the 44^th pushing Sikander into the gap square of cover for one, and last ball of the over Engelbrecht joins him with a back-foot punch out to long off. Both bats on 102* with five overs to go.

Kyle Klein posted his best Topklasse score last week with 74* against Excelsior, but that record lasted just a week. He’s moved to 76* here, but he’s lost another partner as Barresi, having made his way to 6, sweeps at Gopinath and the appeal is sustained by the umpire. Barresi looks to the heavens, but there’s no help from that quarter. Nic Adendorff in at five… and a third for Gopinath, Klein going down on one knee and skying him to Reinder Lubbers behind square. He made 77, and Julian de Mey succeeds him with the momentum now with Salland.

And finally a wicket at Het Schootsveld, where Walbrugh, having hauled Gopinath wide of mid-on to move to 84, plays a similar shot next ball but succeeds only in clipping it to Ganesan. The partnership ends at 139, and Walbrugh has 990 runs for the season with one match to play. Wesley Barresi joins Klein, who’s on 66*..

Bashir, down on one knee, hammers Floyd over midwicket for another six. But if Gorlee’s policy was to buy a wicket it works, because Bashir tries again next ball, doesn’t get hold of it as well, and is caught by Overdijk on the boundary. He departs for 24, and Sparta are back on the rack.

Musa takes the hosts past the 200 mark carving Sikander through backward point for four, closing in on a ton now on 93*. Engelbrecht’s accelerating too, 76* off 86 at the minute and things looking dire for Punjab.

Overdijk tries a bouncer, which Bashir pulls behind square; even that, though, only yields a single. Floyd returns from the Pavilion End, and Bashir greets him by smacking him over cow for six. Floyd’s otherwise on the spot, but Bashir and Snoep succeed in keeping him out. And when Overdijk goes short again Bashir gets hold of it, hooking it fine for four. Overdijk tries again, and bashir misses this time. There is, however, a clear sign of intent, and Bashir gets away with another pull, to midwicket this time for a couple.

Van Troost’s luck finally runs out as he skies another off Turmaine, top-edged sweep is held by Rasool at deep midwicket, prompting slight sheepish celebrations. Samir Butt in. Nashier from the other end now..

Yet another maiden from Doram to Snoep, just a single for Bashir off Overdijk. Bashir’s no more successful than his skipper at getting Doram away, until he drives him down the ground for another single. Doram 7 – 4 – 3 – 1.

Meanwhile at Westvliet Engelbrecht and Musa Ahmad have batted the hosts into a commanding position after Shafiq’s three early strikes. Century stand for the fourth wicket, Ahmad on 74*, Engelbrecht 68*. Punjab looking ragged in the field and bereft of ideas at drinks.

Seems that either Stan van Troost is very popular with his hosts or Leon Turmaine has few friends on his own team. That’s the third time today van Troost has been reprieved off Turmaine’s bowling as another straightforward catch is shelled at 45. Hundred up for Excelsior.

There’s an air of desperation now in Salland’s appeals, but with 17 overs left it’s clear that they are going to be facing a substantial run-chase, which they’d need to pull off in double-quick time to have even the faintest sniff of a chance of overhauling Excelsior’s NRR. Walbrugh now on 70*, Klein on 62*, and the stand’s worth 121.

Doram has figures of 5 – 3 – 2 – 1 at this point, as Sparta’s innings is all about survival now. Snoep’s battled his way to 4*, and Bashir gets off the mark with a push through mid-off for two off Overdijk. It’s not exactly exciting, but it’s gripping in its own way.

Not to be discouraged, Turmaine gets the big fish in his next over. Ingram on the sweep and it’s through him, hint of glove? Umpire doesn’t think so. Maybe just turning enough to clip leg. Close shout but Turmaine’s earned a bit of luck. Heggelman in.

Klein narrowly wins the race to fifty with a single off Bharathi, and Walbrugh joins him with style next ball, reversing to clip the bowler through third man for four. Van der Molen replaces Bharathi from the Pavilion End, but the stand’s now worth 104, Walbrugh taking it into three figures with another of his trademark on drives wide of mid-on for four.

Turmaine should have had another there, sitter spilled at midwicket to reprieve van Troost, who’s on 25* now. Inram on 10* at the other end, and van Luin now from Mulder’s end.

One off Doram’s next, and Hidde Overdijk replaces Crowley, who has three for 11 from his six overs. A meaty pull by Gagandeep for four the only scoring shot off his first. A maiden by Doram to Snoep maintains the pressure on Sparta … Which is intensified by Overdijk, who ends Gagandeep’s vigil by surgically removing his leg stump. He made 13, the only man so far to reach double figures. Faizan Bashir joins Snoep, who’s faced 17 deliveries without scoring.

Another single for Walbrugh takes his aggregate for the season to 950, with power to add today and another game tomorrow. (The last player to make 1000 runs in a Topklasse season was Jonathan Vandiar in 2017.) Sherzad operating now from the Railway End, as Victor Lubbers searches for the breakthrough.

Musa brings up his fifty running Tariq down to third man for a couple in the 23^rd, Engelbrecht joins him a couple of overs later nudging Saqib into the off side for a single. VCC cruising now.

No such drama here at the Bos, Hart and van Troost still exercising caution as Turmaine is brought into the attack, slowly building their third wicket partnership. Exceslior of course only need to avoid a drubbing today, so fair to say discretion over valour is the sensible option at this stage. Yet as I type Hart’s concentration lapses as he spoons a straight return catch to Turmaine, who takes it comfortably above his head. Ingram in.

The powerplay over, Daniel Doram replaces Floyd from the Pavilion End, and with his fourth deliver he induces an uppish stroke into the covers by Kroesen, and Boris Gorlee snaffles the catch. Joost Martijn Snoep joins Gagandeep, who’s on 8*.

Musa and Engelbrecht’s ship-steadying complete, the pair have now, to stretch a metaphor, caught a fair wind. Both into the 40s and VCC well in control.

Klein and Walbrugh are building a very solid partnership at Het Schootsveld, Walbrugh working Gopinath wide of mid-on for four, then going down on one knee to loft him out to long on for another. The stand’s worth 71 now, Klein on 40*, Walbrugh on 43*.

They’re back on at the Bermweg, with Floyd and Crowley continuing to exercise complete control until Gagandeep drives the latter through point for four. He and Kroesen will need to stay around for a long time though, if they’re to give their side a chance.

Singh on from Mulder’s End now, but it’s been pretty quiet since the double breakthrough. Hart’s scoring has slowed appreciably, but he’s still there and into the 20s, van Troost has put a couple of bad balls away but been otherwise watchful.

Gopinath replaces Bharathi, starting with a pretty insistent – but wholly unsuccessful – appeal for leg-before against Klein, who then sweeps him for one and adds a second when the return is deflected off the stumps. Spin from both ends now, with Ganesan on for Bartholomew from the Railway End. No further alarums, and as they take a drink Klein’s on 35* and Walbrugh on 24*.

Floyd joins the party, as Bukhari miscues a defensive shot to leg, catches a leading edge, and the ball flies out on the off side for the bowler to run forward and take the catch at knee height. Joost Kroesen in to join Gagandeep with Sparta in disarray. But before that can happen a shower intervenes, and the covers come on.

Crowley strikes again: Raza edges him straight to the ample midriff of Jonathan Vandiar at first slip, and departs without scoring. Will Clark in at four, and he goes forward, edging equally directly to Tonny Staal at second. Mudassar Bukhari in to face the hat-trick ball, a third slip joining the cordon. Bukhari drives to point, and a little misfield allows a single. HCC’s title defence is alive and well!

Engelbrecht and Ahmad rebuilding for VCC meanwhile, on 15* and 30* respectively. Zulfiqars from both ends for Punjab.

Another boundary for Ferguson off Floyd’s next over, but he edges the final delivery of Crowley’s second into his off stump, which goes flying. Ali Raza in to join Gagandeep, with HCC delighted with their initial breakthrough.

Walbrugh ups the ante against Bartholomew, turning him behind square for two, then driving him cleanly wide of mid-on for four. A glorious cover drive yields him a couple more, and suddenly he’s moved to 20*. Klein’s on 30*, and HBS have made a very good start..

First bowling change here as Dutt takes over from Jain, opens with a maiden on van Troost. Still Visser at the other end.

Clayton Floyd starts from the Pavilion End, and Sam Ferguson gets away with a cut to the point boundary. A single means Gagandeep Singh faces the final ball. Daniel Crowley from the Schollebos End.

Elam Bharathi’s left-arm spin has replaced Reinder Lubbers’ seam from the Pavilion End, and Walbrugh gets under way with a somewhat uppish shot through midwicket for four. Another later in the over from Klein, driving sweetly through the covers. By the end of the powerplay Klein’s gone to 26*, Walbrugh on 7*.

Word arrives from Westvliet, where Voorburg are in early trouble. Three down already. Details to follow (hopefully). Levitt, Gigani and Croes gone we hear. Musa and Engelbrecht in the middle is the word.

And one brings two, needless mix-up sees Verhagen run out for 1. No Etmen for Excelsior today, Stan van Troost at four.

A breakthrough for Salland, as a moment of confusion between Klein and Mason sees the latter stranded as he’s sent back by his partner and the return to the bowler’s end beats his dive. Tayo Walbrugh joins Klein in the middle.

Michael Hart and Luuk Kroesen opening for Excelior, and a brisk start from them. Aaditt Jain and Eddie Visser sharing the new ball. Three slips each but not seen much sign of swing. Oh wait, might have been some for Jain there. Enough to take Kroesen’s outside edge through to the keeper. Verhagen in.

Boris Gorlee has called correctly at the Bermweg and invited Sparta to have a bat.

Reece Mason and Kyle Klein have made a cautious start for HBS against Reinder Lubbers and Fraser Bartholomew.

Voorburg win the toss and bat at Westvliet, Klien and Gigani back in the side at the expennse of van Hoogdalem and Kulkarni.

Should have a toss in about 15 minutes at Bermweg, for an 11.45 start..

Salland win the toss and bowl against HBS, they’ll be looking for a monster win today if they’re to keep their slim hopes of survival alive. Whatever HBS post expect the hosts to go hard in the chase.

We understand there’s a delayed toss at the Bermweg, with some damp areas after overnight rain.

VRA win the toss and will bowl first, start delayed by 15 minutes in deference to a passing shower. Conditions here basically full sauna.