| played | won | lost | tied | n/r | points | NRR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PJB | 17 | 12 | 3 | – | 2 | 50 | 1.589 |
| VCC | 17 | 11 | 5 | – | 1 | 45 | 1.111 |
| HCC | 17 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 41 | 1.747 |
| VOC | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 2 | 38 | 0.521 |
| VRA | 17 | 9 | 6 | – | 2 | 38 | 0.460 |
| HBS | 17 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 0.436 |
| EXC | 17 | 7 | 5 | – | 5 | 33 | 0.906 |
| ACC | 17 | 5 | 10 | – | 2 | 22 | -1.351 |
| SPT | 17 | 2 | 13 | – | 2 | 10 | -2.472 |
| DOS | 17 | – | 14 | – | 3 | 3 | -2.903 |
The Topklasse League Phase Table after Round 17
Bertus de Jong 20:15
Well on has to feel for Excelsior today, their (admittedly remote) chances of a playoff berth ended by the rain, but otherwise the days results have set up a thrilling final round. Punjab have sealed their spot at the top of the table, and VCC a berth in the playoffs, but for the rest little is decided. HCC remain on 41 points slipping to third, vulnerable to being overtaken by both VRA and VOC should they lose to the latter, while a win over VCC could still see HBS scrape through if other results go their way. Four of the five teams still fighting over the last three slots face off next week, with VOC-HCC potentially a knock-out match, while HBS’game against VCC is must-win for the hosts. VRA have the advantage of playing the now-eliminated Excelsior, but taking them on at Thurlede is never an easy ask. We’ll be back next weekend for all of that of course, with plenty of reviews, galleries and the like coming up in the interim.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 20:05
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 121-3 (19.1/20 overs; DLS target 118)
One more ball is all it takes, dug in short and Myburgh pulls square for four. And that’s a very late wrap for the day.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 20:03
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 117-3 (19/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Zulfiqar down the track on the fourth ball to make a full toss of it, but mishit behind point for another single, but two balls later he finds the rope cutting a full wide delivery away square. One needed off the last and Bijloos to bowl, Myburgh had quietly gone to fifty meanwhile without anyone really noticing.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:56
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 108-3 (18/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Five an over is what they need, and five they get. All singles and a dot off the last as if they’re aiming to finish on the final ball. Ten need off two, Venter to bowl the 19th.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:52
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 103-3 (17/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Four off Nadeeem’s last and looks like this is going deep. 15 runs to get in three overs.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:42
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 99-3 (16/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Well it’s a horrible way to get out, Nidamanuru driving straight and setting off, unsighted by Klaus so can’t see Myburgh’s not moved, tries to turn and sticks in the turf, throw comes in as he’s still on the floor. Run out for 14. Saqib Zulfiqar in, 19 still needed.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:42
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 97-2 (15/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Picket fence from Nadeem for the 13th, good enough for Punjab. Oli Klaus into the attack to replace Overdijk, four off it, a wide down leg which evaded the keeper spoiling an otherwise good over. Nadeen’s next starts promisingly, but then he overpitches and is driven for a couple by Nidamanuru, the next too straight and glanced fine for two more, then a drag down is put away for four over midwicket. 21 needed off the last five, Klaus to continue.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:29
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 75-2 (12/20 overs; DLS target 118)
Overdijk starts with a wide down leg but mixes it up well for the rest, just two off the bat. Punjab need 43 off the last 8 overs, which should be a doddle with Myburgh set, 8 wickets in hand and the line up they have to come, but hey, you still have to get them.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:25
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 72-2 (11/20 overs; DLS target 118)
118 in 20 the target now we gather.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:24
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 72-2 (11/27? overs; DLS target 154?)
The break hasn’t helped Zulfiqar’s concentration it seems, as he looks to pull a long hop from Nadeem and bottom-edges into the stumps. Nidamanuru in to join Myburgh, expect there’s been a further revision to the DLS, will try to get details but likely in Punjab’s favour. Overdijk now for HCC.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 19:18
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 130 all out (42.4/45 overs; DLS target 149)
A fumble behind the stumps gifts Sparta two runs on the second ball, then an overthrow next ball yields one more, but the terrible cricket plan pays off for ACC as Ibrahimkhil helps a rank full toss into the hands of Kothari at short midwicket next ball to hand ACC the win.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 19:18
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 68-1 (10/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Umpires and batters back out, but it’s a while before HCC join them. Musa Nadeem to bowl. Not sure whether more overs have come off, and if so, what the new target is. Confirmation, though, that Clayton Floyd has an injury.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 19:13
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 127-9 (42/45 overs; DLS target 149)
Sparta’s last pair aren’t giving up just yet as Ibrahimkhil goes back in the crease to pull Raza just over the leaping man at short midwicket for four, they have three overs to get 22 runs. Kumar to bowl the antepenultimate over.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 19:10
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 201-5 (45.5 overs)
Barresi gets Borren with the second ball of his spell, a third catch for Mason as the VRA skipper goes for 33. Mitch Lees dragged to the middle to clean things up and puts the game to bed next over, two sighters and then four-two-four off Boddendijk to wrap things up. Cooper finishes unbeaten on 62 and VRA are suddenly in the mix for the playoffs.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 19:08
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 117-9 (40/45 overs; DLS target 149)
After having a straight drive inadvertantly blocked by his partner, Snoep gets Raza away to the rope through long on for four, but next over Arya returns and ends his innings, a miscue out toward point is held low but well. He goes for 22, Max Hoornweg in and off the mark first ball whipping a low full toss away to leg for two. GOne nexgt ball though going forward and then back to Arya, pinned in frontish but looked too awful to let him stay at the crease wherever the ball was going. Ibrahinkhil last man.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:59
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 68-1 (10/27 overs; DLS target 154)
The rain’s back once more, and the covers are on again. They’ve a bit of time in hand, but not a huge amount. Punjab well ahead on DLS, but they need another ten overs for a valid result.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 18:59
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 188-3 (44 overs)
Seems Borren and Cooper indeed have pressing business to attend to, two threes run back to back and then a boundary as de Mey goes for 14 in the 44th. Barresi back into the attack.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 18:58
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 108-7 (38/45 overs; DLS target 149)
After seeing out 11 dots Sardha opens his account with an outside edge through the vacant cordon for four off van Vliet, then lifts him over extra with a shot that’s at least twice as nice but worth half the runs in the end. 40 needed off the last seven overs.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 18:54
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 171-3 (42 overs)
Borren with half an eye on the balcony now too one suspects, two fours off de Mey in the 42nd and VRA into the home straight.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:49
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 61-1 (9/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Henrico Venter on for Bijloos, and Myburgh produces a slog-swept four which seemed to go as far vertically as horizontally. There’s more drama as Floyd slips bowling the fifth delivery of his second over and falls on his face. He picks up his hat and walks away. Gorlee bowls the last ball of the over.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 18:48
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 98-7 (35/45 overs; DLS target 149)
Meanwhile at Bermweg, Raza and Snoep had succeeded in dragging Sparta back into this contest before Raza came down the wicket to his namesake but nowhere near the pitch, missed and was stumped. He’s gone for 45, and Sardha arrives at the crease to join Snoep. The require rate for the last ten is a gettable 5 an over, but there’s no batsmen left to get them. Tough ask for the Sparta tail this, Kothari with ball in hand and two overs up his sleeve.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:40
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 51-1 (7/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Consecutive fours from Myburgh, and 15 from that Overdijk over in all. Ones and twos give eight off the next from Bijloos, and now Floyd is on from the Harbour End. Five off his first, all in singles, and Punjab need 103 off 20.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 18:34
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 159-3 (40 overs)
Cooper looking in a hurry now, playing like a man who has been enviously watching other people make runs for the last weeks while he was sat on the sidelines with a broken thumb. Which he was. Two boundaries off Boddendijk in the 40th takes him past fifty, and prompts the return of Ryan Klein.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:29
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 28-1 (4.2/27 overs; DLS target 154)
The genie is now back in the bottle, and we’re good to continue.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 18:31
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 85-6 (30/45 overs; DLS target 149)
Meanwhile at Bermweg, if you’ll excuse the repetition, Raza and Snoep are still trying to drag the hosts back into the contest, they’d still be about on track now were it not for the wickets column. The other Raza and Zaidi continue searching for the breakthrough for ACC.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 18:27
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 144-3 (38 overs)
Boddendijk and Stephan Vink now for HBS, but there doesn’t seem to be any way through this pairing of Cooper and Borren. Cooper closing in on 50 now, and HBS need something special. De Mey into the attack
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:24
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 28-1 (4.2/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Myburgh and Asad look better when they play more orthodox shots, like a lovely off drive from Asad off Bijloos for four. A no ball from Overdijk does nothing for the HCC cause, and Myburgh plays an ungainly but effective squidge over backward point off the free hit. As if in response, a gust of wind catches the mat and lifts it like a magic carpet; they had to raise it to dry it earlier, and it’s evidently become a free spirit. A man appears with a bucket of nails.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 18:17
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 72-6 (27/45 overs; DLS target 149)
Meanwhile at Bermweg Raza and Snoep are trying to drag the hosts back into the contest, they’d be about on track now were it not for the wickets column. The other Raza and Zaidi searching for the breakthrough for ACC
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:15
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 16-1 (3/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Rehmat skies a wild swing to cover, and Overdijk is under it. A six from Myburgh next ball evens the balance a little.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 18:10
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 135-3 (35 overs)
Boddendijk on and finds the breakthrough, a second catch for Mason as Singh departs for 60. Captain to the crease as Borren joins Cooper, who’s into the 30s.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 18:07
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Punjab : 5-0 (1/27 overs; DLS target 154)
Overdijk starts from the Harbour End to Myburgh. A single to him, and a boundary to Rehmat. Bijloos from the Equestrian Centre End.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 17:52
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 110-2 (29 overs)
Singh’s gone on to 55* now, with Cooper on 27*. Boddendijk into the attack, but no sign of a breakthough for HBS.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 17:49
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 47-6 (17/45 overs; DLS target 149)
While that was going on Latif was run out without scoring. But Raza and Snoep are in the middle now, with Sparta facing an uphill battle.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 17:46
HCC : 131-6 (27/27 overs)
Some very good improvisational hitting from Overdijk and Gorlee against Saqib and Sikander Zulfiqar gets HCC to a fairly decent total, although Gorlee holes out to Ul Haq and Overdijk to Myburgh in Sikander’s final over. There’ll be a DLS adjustment, one asumes.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 17:34
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 40-5 (13.3/45 overs; DLS target 149)
Two wickets in an over for Kothari: first Umar LBW for 13, then Manminder Singh bowled without scoring. Balwantsingh in with Raza now. And before I can hit Update he gets another, Balwantsingh caught by Master for 1.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 17:29
HCC : 94-4 (23.3/27 overs)
Staal’s caught behind as well, off Saqib this time. HCC are making a bit of a mess of this, as Gorlee joins Overdijk.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 17:25
HCC : 94-3 (22.5/?? overs)
Crowley pulls, but Irfan ul Haq is there to take the catch. Tonny Staal joins Overdijk. Big over that for Punjab!
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 17:22
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 36-2 (10.2 overs)
They’re about to restart, with a reduction of five overs. The revised target is 149.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 17:20
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 90-2 (21 overs)
Spin at both ends now with Barresi and de Mey operating in tandem, but the trick hasn’t worked as it did for VRA. Singh and Cooper continuing to make steady progress as they near the half-way stage, and we’re past 20 overs so the weather can’t save HBS from here. They need wickets.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 17:16
HCC : 92-2 (22.3/?? overs)
Almost immediately Floyd goes, caught behind by Asad Zulfiqar off Sikander of that Ilk for 48. Hidde Overdijk in, but before he can take strike they’re running for the covers again.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 17:12
HCC : 91-1 (22/35 overs)
HCC back for a final thrash – not sure how many overs left, but they’ll all be in the final powerplay.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 17:07
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 36-2 (10.2 overs)
Covers off in Capelle too, in fitful sunshine. Much discussion in the middle.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 16:58
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 60-2 (15 overs)
Fifty up for VRA, and a first bowling change as Julian de Mey replaces Fink, and to immediate effect as he has Szwarczynski caught by Walbrugh for 22. The returning Ben Cooper strides to the crease and quickly off the mark with a couple.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 16:58
HCC : 90-1 (21.3/35 overs)
After a conference the covers are coming off at the Zomercomplex, a fine effort by the players of both sides.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 16:53
Excelsior : 72-2 (23.1/45 overs)
And the news comes through that the match at the Hazelaarweg has been abandoned, a victim of the Rotterdämmerung.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 16:50
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 36-2 (10.2 overs)
More rain at the Bermweg now as well, and the oystercatchers are out in the outfield. Never a good sign. Though not as bad as the heron I once saw trying to fish in a lake in front of the sightscreen at VRA.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 16:40
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 46-1 (10 overs)
They’re back after a brief break, Singh, Szwarczynski, Klein and Vink all continuing where they left off. Partnership worth 40 now, Singh on 24*, Szwarczynski on 16*.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 16:35
HCC : 91-1 (22/35 overs)
Which was a good decision, because the rain is back.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 16:30
HCC : 91-1 (22/35 overs)
It looks as if the rain has stopped at the Zomercomplex, but there’s no move as yet to remove the covers.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 16:19
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 36-2 (10.2 overs)
It’s absolutely bucketing down in Capelle, and the covers have just done an impression of the surf at Bondi. A lifesaving team is quickly out there to get them back on, but they probably need to nail them down.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 16:11
Dosti : 45 all out (25.1 overs)
Voorburg : 47-1 (9.4 overs)
Arief Hoseinbaks into the attack, a four and a six for Razzaqi, and it’s all over. He ends on 28*, and Voorburg win by nine wickets.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 16:10
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 30-1 (7.3 overs)
The weather has arrived at the Bos too now, covers on, looks like it might be a bit of a wait.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 16:04
Dosti : 45 all out (25.1 overs)
Voorburg : 23-1 (6.1 overs)
A wicket at Westvliet: Dutt smartly stumped by Ahmed off Asief Hoseinbaks. Philippe Boissevain promoted to three.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 16:03
HCC : 91-1 (22/35 overs)
They’re off for rain at the Zomercomplex as well, as the biblical downpour which hit Hazelaarweg earlier seems now to have reached Rotterdam Zuid. Just as the HCC innings was developing some real momentum.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 15:57
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 36-2 (10.2 overs)
Zaidi into the attack, greeted with a six by Raza, but that brings on the rain, closely followed by the covers.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 15:55
HCC : 79-1 (20/35 overs)
Punjab get that wicket, with Ahmad caught by Tariq off Saqib Zulfiqar for 26. Floyd’s on 48*, joined now by Damian Crowley.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 15:51
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 30-2 (10 overs)
Sparta suffer a major blow as Tarr is bowled by Kothari for 7. Ali Raza joins Umar.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 15:48
Dosti : 45 all out (25.1 overs)
Voorburg : 18-0 (4 overs)
The rain has given way to sunshine at Westvliet, and Aryan Dutt and Alyan Razzaqi resume their pursuit of Dosti’s modest total.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 15:43
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
VRA : 6-1 (2 overs)
They’re back on at the Bos, Singh and Scully opening for the hosts, Klein takes the new ball. Singh finds the rope off the last ball of the first over but Scully has a less effective start, caught off Ferdi Vink’s first ball for a golden duck. Eric Szwarczynski comes in at three and blocks out the over
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 15:40
HCC : 70-0 (18/35 overs)
Drinks at the Zomercomplex, with Ahmad and Floyd on 24* and 43*. Punjab in serious need of a wicket.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 15:35
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 17-1 (6.1 overs)
Breakthrough for ACC, Kumar trapping Iqbal in front for 7. Garnett Tarr strides to the crease.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 15:33
HCC : 55-0 (16/35 overs)
Ahmad and Floyd now on 22* and 32* respectively, giving HCC an excellent platform. Sohail Bhatti and Mubashar Hussain into the attack.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 15:28
Dosti : 45 all out (25.1 overs)
Voorburg : 12-0 (2 overs)
They’re off for rain at Westvliet.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 15:12
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
Sparta : 1-0 (1 over)
They’re back at the Bermweg, Aryan Kumar bowling to Faisal Iqbal and Danish Umar. Just a single off it. Mies van Vliet from the other end.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 15:07
HCC : 28-0 (10/35 overs)
Ahmad on 12*, Floyd on 14*. What’s par here off 35 overs? Given that Punjab are going to be chasing? And HCC bowling? 150? 180?
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 14:53
HCC : 17-0 (6/35 overs)
Meanwhile, on the other side of Rotterdam, HCC are making a steady start against Tariq and Nidamanuru.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 14:37
HCC : 2-0 (1/35 overs)
They’re finally getting under way at the Zomercomplex. Punjab have won the toss and sent HCC in. Suleiman Tariq opens to Musa Nadeem Ahmed, with Clayton Floyd at the other end. A single apiece off the first. Teja Nidamanuru to bowl the second.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 14.30
Excelsior : 72-2 (23.1/45 overs)
Very slow progress for Ingram and Heggelman, but even that’s halted now as the covers come out.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 14:27
ACC : 155 all out (47.2 overs)
An eventful 47th over as Sardha has Zaidi caught by Ibrahimkhil for 58 and Arya caught by Tarr off the next. Zinesh Master and debutant Tibo Balk the final pair. But Snoep bowls Master and it’s all over.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 14:20
HBS : 199 all out (50 overs)
Barresi doing enough here to justify his claim to staying in earlier, finds the rope every over to take HBS within one shot of the 200-mark as we head into the final over. Jack Balbirnie to bowl it, Barresi facing. Takes a knee first ball for the slog-sweep, high and up over backward square, but he’s not got enough behind it and taken on the rope. Ferdi Vink is pinned LBW first ball, and a very professional run-out looking for an impossible second on the final ball of the innings sees Stephan Vink run out. Still of the opinion those shouldn’t count against your average. VRA have done well to keep HBS under 200 here, and though Ryan Klein may have some thoughts on the matter the visitors would have been in a far worse position were it not for Barresi’s 81 off 107. The slow bowlers have done a job for the hosts in the first half, now it’s down to the bats to make good.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 14:20
ACC : 149-7 (46 overs)
Hoornweg bowls Van Vliet for 23. Zaidi’s moved to 56*, joined now by Devanshu Arya.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 14:15
ACC : 144-6 (45 overs)
A half-century for Zaidi, and Van Vliet has moved on to 22* as well. The stand’s worth 45 now, by far the best of the innings. Hoornweg back, partnered by Sawan Sardha.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 14.07
Excelsior : 63-2 (17.1/45 overs)
Seelaar follows suit next over, nabbing Etman in almost identical fashion for 37. Heggelman joins Ingram in the middle.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 14:00
HBS : 173-7 (46 overs)
Six off the 44th without undue risk, but Klein struggles to get Turmaine away in the next. Four dots before he gets off strike, and the pressure almost tells as Barresi punches uppishly toward wide long on and Borren almosts holds a one-hander diving from short midwicket. Barresi aims a slog-sweep at Balbirnie in the next but well fielded to keep them to one. Two balls later Klein mishits a sweep into the off side off the toe end of the bat, Barresi’s already halfway down the track and makes it extremely clear he expects Klein to sacrifice himself for the cause, patting his partner on the back on the way out of the crease to his certain dismissal. Klein dutifully walks out and off to the pavilion, but looks far from sanguine about it. Expect some words will be had at the break. Geenevasen in to join Barresi, who’s on 62*, but not for long as he’s caught and bowled two balls later. Boddendijk in.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 14:00
ACC : 130-6 (41 overs)
A useful little stand from Zaidi, now on 44*, and Van Vliet, who’s on 15*. Singh and Iqbal have both bowled out. Can ACC set their hosts a challenging target?
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 13:56
Excelsior : 59-1 (16.2/45 overs)
Van Baren gets the breakthrough: Kroesen half-forward defending, it looked pretty straight, and he departs for 18. That’s the cue for a drink.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 13:52
Dosti : 45 all out (25.1 overs)
Dutt gets Mahendram to finish with the remarkable figures of 8.1 – 4 – 6 – 4. De Leede three for 9, Kingma two for 16. The less said about Dosti’s batting the better.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 13:50
HBS : 161-5 (43 overs)
An uneventful over for Borren yields four, and Turmaine returns to replace Gunning at the other end. Good from him too, just three off it, with five in hand and seven to go you’d expect some aggression pretty soon, aa Balbirnie replaces Borren.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 13:46
Excelsior : 52-0 (13/45 overs)
Half-century opening stand, and Pieter Seelaar into the attack. Etman on 33*, Kroesen on 14*.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 13:43
HBS : 154-5 (41 overs)
Borren takes the ball himself after drinks, three off his first – all singles into the leg side. It’s Gunning that finally finds the breakthrough, full and shpaing in and beats Mason’s attempted flick to leg, straight on into the stumps. Klein joins Barresi, leg glance for two second ball to open his account..
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 13:38
Excelsior : 37-0 (10/45 overs)
Etman and Kroesen, now on 21* and 12* respectively, have seen off the new ball attack, with Dirk van Baren on from the Airport End.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 13:34
Dosti : 40-9 (21.2 overs)
A bit of resistance by Masood and Bhoelan comes to an end as Dutt bowls the former. Suresh Mahendram the last man.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 13:30
HBS : 143-4 (39 overs)
Mason brings up the half-century stand stroking Balbirnie through cover for a a hard-run three, and Barresi brings up his personal fifty next over turning Gunning to leg for one. It’s been a back-and-forth innings so far but this pair have put HBS back in a fair position you’d say. Platform set and 11 more overs after drinks to capitalise.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 13:30
ACC : 103-6 (35 overs)
Zaidi now on 31*, with Van Vliet just off the mark.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 13:23
HBS : 132-4 (37 overs)
Barresi definitely looking to get a move on now, into the forties with a signature lofted flick off the toes over midwicket for four. Just two off Balbirnie’s next before Gunning replaces Singh next over. Barresi dabs down to third for a single and two balls later Mason drives through the off side for his first boundary. This partnership worth 48 now, and it’s been a cruial one for the Crows.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 13:23
It’s raining again at the Zomercomplex.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 13:21
Dosti : 31-8 (18 overs)
De Leede’s bowled Nawaz. Shifariesh Bhoelan joins Masood.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 13:19
Excelsior : 17-0 (5/45 overs)
A steady start for Excelsior, by contrast with the mayhem elsewhere.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 13:17
ACC : 99-6 (31.4 overs)
Another for Manminder: Kumar is trapped in front. Zaidi’s still there on 28*, Mies van Vliet his latest partner.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 13:12
Dosti : 26-7 (16 overs)
Arief Hoseinbaks caught by Stef Mulder off Dutt. It’s hard to keep up with this!
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 13:10
HBS : 114-4 (33 overs)
Mason brings up the 100 for HBS dabbing Nashier just behind point, next over Barresi latches on to a short, wide ball from Singh that sits up ouside off and ais duly put away for four. Jack Balbirnie takes over from Nashier, and opens his spell with a maiden to Mason. Barresi showing signs of aggression at the other end now, lifting Singh over cover, mid off and his own head in successive deliveries and picking up two each time, before pulling a shorter ball away square for three. He‘s on to 34* now, Mason on 7*.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 13:10
ACC : 95-5 (30 overs)
Iqbal gets the breakthrough. Raza swings wildly and is bowled for 11. Zaidi’s on 24*, joined by Aryan Kumar.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 13:08
Dosti : 26-6 (14.3 overs)
Arief Hoseinbaks and Sami Naseri hold the line for a bit, but then De Leede bowls the latter. Waheed Masood in at eight.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 13:04
Excelsior : 1-0 (1/45 overs)
They’ve started at the Hazelaarweg, Pierce Fletcher bowling from the Airport End to Tim Etman, who’s off the mark with a single. Luuk Kroesen sees out the rest of the over. Siebe van Wingerden from the Pavilion End.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 13:00
ACC : 89-4 (27 overs)
Spin from both ends, with Faisal Iqbal on now. Zaidi and Raza picking the ones and twos.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 12:57
HBS : 97-4 (29 overs)
Barresi strokes Nashier out through the covers for the first boundary since the 19th over. Mason the model of circumspection at the other end, blocks out five dots in Singh’s next before finding a blaa he can guided down to third for a single. Blocks three more in Nashier’s next before getting off strike, then just one dot in Singh’s next before dead-batting him into the gap at midwicket for one more. He’s on 4 off 18 now, Barresi 20 off 47.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 12:52
Dosti : 19-5 (10.2 overs)
Aryan Dutt from the Paddock End, and Wegecsanyi nicks his fifth delivery to Hingorani. Asief Hoseinbaks joins Hans, who’s run out trying for a very chancy single off the next. Two balls later, De Leede bowls Asief. Wheels off again . . .
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 12:47
HBS : 93-4 (27 overs)
Barresi strokes Nashier out through the covers for the first boundary since the 19th over. Mason the model of circumspection at the other end, blocks out five dots in Singh’s next before finding a ball he can guided down to third for a single.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 12:45
ACC : 74-4 (22 overs)
Manminder Singh on from the Schollebos End. Knoll responds by belting him over cow for six. But off the last of the over he goes for a massive drive and succeeds only in top-edging to Ibrahimkhil at backward point. Anis Raza joins Zaidi.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 12:41
Dosti : 19-2 (9 overs)
Bas de Leede on for Van Beek from the Pavilion End, and Hans and Wegescanyi are finding survival a big enough challenge at the moment.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 12:37
HBS : 84-4 (23 overs)
Back to pace on now as Vikram Singh comes into the attack. Singh looks a little uncomfortable with the bounce Singh is finding but turns him away to leg off the last ball for one to deny him a maiden. Nashier still at the other end, three off the 22nd. Singh oversteps second ball of the 23rd but his namesake can’t lay bat on the slower bouncer that follows, a dot, a fruitless appeal for LBW followed by a fruitful one as Singh misses a fuller ball looking to work it to leg and the finger goes up. Reece Mason in to join Barresi.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 12:33
ACC : 60-3 (20 overs)
Balwantsingh has bowled out, finishing with a very tidy two for 29. Zaidi has made his way to 13*.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 12:27
And across Rotterdam Punjab’s battle to dry the pitch has been successful. They’ll start at 13:20, after having first had an early lunch.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 12:26
Excelsior : 0-0 ( overs)
They’ll start at 13:00 at the Hazelaarweg, Tom Heggelman having won the toss and elected to bat. 45 overs a side.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 12:23
Dosti : 16-2 (5.1 overs)
Tewarie takes boundaries off both Kingma and Van Beek, but the former’s too fast and too straight for his defensive lunge, and the bails fly. Joe Wegecsanyi in to face the onslaught.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 12:17
HBS : 79-3 (19 overs)
The early recourse to spin has paid off for VRA, and Nashier nearly has Singh in the 18th now as an ouside edge flies through vacant second slip. Barresi picks up his first boundary in the next though, driving through cover off Turmaine and just beating the man. And that’ll be drinks.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 12:14
ACC : 51-3 (16 overs)
First change at the Bermweg as Snoep replaces Hoornweg from the Pavilion End. Balwantsingh still going from the other. Getting the ball outside the circle is proving a bit of a challenge.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 12:08
Dosti : 1-1 (1.5 overs)
Vinoo Tewarie has won the toss and elected to bat at Westvliet, A single for Rahil Ahmed off Van Beek’s first, but then Kingma castles him in the second. The captain in to join Mahesh Hans.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 12:07
HBS : 62-3 (15 overs)
Walbrugh drives Turmaine out through the covers for four on the final ball of the 13th, but he loses Visée next ball as Nashier floats one up, Visée looks to sweep, misses and struck on the pads, up goes the finger, in comes Navjit Singh, who blocks out the rest of the over. Turmaine continues, and a huge wicket first ball of the 15th, Walbrugh forward and flashing a drive toward cover, skids on with the arm and an outside edge flies low just wide of first slip where Vikram Singh takes a fantastic one-handed reflex catch millimeters off the ground. Barresi in at five.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 12:04
ACC : 47-3 (14 overs)
A drive through cover point brings Kothari four, but off the last ball of the over he gets an inside edge into his stumps. Chris Knoll in to join Zaidi.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:55
HBS : 55-1 (12 overs)
Maiden for Turmaine on de Mey as the field spreads, and spin at both ends now Borren brings on Udit Nashier at the Mulder End to replace Gunning. And the change works, De Mey on the pull and a bottom edge cannons into the stumps. Walbrugh in at three, off the mark second ball glancing behind square for three.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:54
ACC : 39-2 (12 overs)
The most exciting thing that’s happened in the past few overs was an Ali Raza dive to stop a shy at the stumps from Hoornweg. Other than that, Kothari and Zaidi are picking up what they can from a very good opening spell from Hoornweg and Balwantsingh.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:47
HBS : 50-0 (10 overs)
Just one off Turmaine’s next, and Gunning replaces Abid. He’s lifted over the covers by Visée for four second ball back, and then two balls later flicked away to leg for the same result. Two balls later and Visée goes high over mid off for four more. Fifty up and a good start for HBS.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 11:44
News from the inspection is that there will be another at 12:15. Still some wet patches about.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:39
ACC : 31-2 (8 overs)
A let-off for Zaidi, as the lefthander drives uppishly to shortish cover off Hoornweg and the low catch fails to stick. Just a wide off Balwantsingh’s next as the scoring rate begins to slow.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:29
HBS : 37-0 (8 overs)
Pace off the ball then as Leon Turmaine replaces Gunning. De Mey continues driving with confidence, through cover off the front foot for a couple. Three off Turmaine’s first. Abid continues at the other end, first ball of the 8th a friendly full toss which Visée pulls away for four. Bit wet out there now as the first spots of rain appear. Blowy too.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:29
HBS : 24-0 (5 overs)
Another cracking square drive from de Mey off Gunning in the third does make it all the way to the rope, and he finds the boundary again in the next albeit in less assured fashion, inside edging Abid across his stumps. Lovely cover drive in Gunning’s next skids away to the boundary again, de Mey has raced to 21*. Visée just on 5*, but hasn’t seen much of the strike.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:28
ACC : 27-2 (5.2 overs)
Potdar quickly follows, edging a ball from Balwantsingh he could probably have left to Faisal Iqbal in the gully. Ammar Zaidi joins Kothari.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:25
ACC : 25-1 (4.5 overs)
Reward for Hoornweg, as Hosur tries to flick him off his pads and is bowled. Sahil Kothari in at three.
VOC Rotterdam vs Excelsior ‘20 11:22
We understand there’s to be an inspection at 11:30 at the Hazelaarweg.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:20
ACC : 21-0 (4 overs)
A sweet drive through cover point by Hosur brings another boundary. In Hoornweg’s next there’s a big appeal for something against Hosur, but the umpire signals four byes. I have literally no idea, but a long-distance view from the gully boundary isn’t ideal. Potdar then steers Balwantsingh through backward point to deepen any sense of grievance. ACC currently going at twice their recent run-rate . . .
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:17
HBS : 8-0 (2 overs)
And we’re on our way, De Mey and Visée opening for HBS, Quirijn Gunning takes the new ball for the hosts. De Mey off the mark with a couple fourth ball, the over otherwise unblemished. Ashir Abid from the other end, a smattering of singles and then de Mey comes close to finding the rope, driving through point for a hard run three off the last ball.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 11:14
Sorry: the /s/ key on my keyboard sticks. For ‘Wetvliet’ read ‘Westvliet’.
Voorburg vs Dosti-United 11:08
The covers are off at Wetvliet, and there’s hope of a start around 11:30-11:45.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 11:08
ACC : 6-0 (1 over)
There’s a real end-of-term vibe at the Bermweg. Max Hoornweg starts from the Pavilion End to Shreyas Potdar, who takes a single off the first delivery. Ditto Krishna Hosur from the second. The fifth runs down to the third man boundary. Prithvi Balwantsingh from the Schollebos End.
VRA vs HBS Craeyenhout 11:07
: 0-0 (0 overs)
HBS have won the toss at the Bos, and looks like we’ll have a reasonably timely start.
Sparta 1888 vs ACC Amsterdam 10:50
ACC : 0-0 ( overs)
News of a toss! At the Bermweg Joost Martijn Snoep, back as captain of Sparta, has won it, and invited ACC to have a bat. No Mudassar Bukhari in the Sparta line-up.
Punjab Rotterdam vs HCC 10:26
We hear from the Zomercomplex that there’s been seepage under the covers, and that there’s no immediate prospect of play there.
Rod Lyall 10:25
It wouldn’t be a Topklasse morning in 2021 without the news that there’s been rain yesterday and overnight, and that we’ll have to wait to see what effect that has on matches getting under way. Nothing lowers the spirits like the sight (even at 10,000 miles’ distance) of the covers on at a wet cricket ground!
Rod Lyall 10:15
Welcome everyone once more, for the penultimate day of the league phase in this year’s Topklasse competition. If anybody wondered why it might be a good idea to reinstate the play-offs, they have their answer: seven teams still in the hunt for a top four place, three pretty well guaranteed a spot and four of them contesting the last place. Also yet to be decided are the top two, with their precious double chance of a place in the final on 4 September. Some of the excitement may be a by-product of the dreadful weather back in May, but much of it is the result of there being seven evenly-matched sides, each of whom could on their day beat any of the other six. So strap yourselves in for a thrilling ride! Bertus and I will be bringing you our take on all the action, and Sander will be recording part of it visually.
TKcricket 