Topklasse Live | Round 2 | As it Happened

For the second week in a row Voorburg’s match goes into the final over, to be bowled by Niels Etman. Eight required. Molenaar takes a single, then Boissevain hustles a two. Five needed off four. Another single as Etman gives Boissevain room to cut; the next one’s too short, and Molenaar hammers it back over the bowler’s head and down to the long on boundary. Voorburg win by 5 wickets with two balls to spare.

Kulkarni tries to pull Ralston, gets an edge, and Verhagen does the rest. Michael Molenaar in at seven, and this is getting trickier for Voorburg by the moment.

But then Croes tries to scoop Ralston fine, misses, and the bowler doesn’t. He misses out on a well-deserved century, and Philippe Boissevain comes out to join Kulkarni. Two new men, facing pace in the gloom.

Croes continues in the gathering murk, since it’s really getting pretty dark at Westvliet. He can see enough to keep driving Etman straight though, and Kulkarni seems to be seeing it as well. Croes 96* now, and 10 required off 12 balls.

Kaplan goes to his century, clipping Blankestijn over midwicket, and by the end of the over the stand’s reached 200. And then, out of nowhere, he goes, mistiming a swing off Niels Etman over the leg side and caught by brother Tim in the deep for 104. Yet another consolation wicket surely, as Nirav Kulkarni joins Croes, but Voorburg still need 24.

This has been an object lesson in 50-over batting from Kaplan and Croes, who came together in the sixth over with their side in early trouble on 29 for two. They’ve withstood both pace and spin, not panicking when the asking rate began to creep upwards, and increasingly taking charge. 42 are now required from eight overs, with Kaplan on 91* and Croes on 86*. Verhagen’s last throw of the dice, as Ralston returns from the Pavilion End.

Verhagen turns back to Ingram from the Paddock End, Croes and Kaplan taking eight off his over. Kaplan 84*, Croes 76*, and 59 needed off 10. Excelsior have tried everything, but the game’s ebbing away from them.

The partnership’s now over 150, and Voorburg need 75 off 12. Kaplan’s overtaken Croes, leading the charge and moving to 76*, his partner on 70*. Excelsior need wickets, and fast.

Riaz reaches the first century of the Topklasse season in style, hammering Elenbaas back over his head for six. The next ball is lofted over wide mid-on for six more, and that’s the game. Riaz ends on 106* from 102 deliveries, and Punjab-Ghausia win by five wickets.

Elenbaas back, and after Sikander pulls him to the midwicket boundary he gets what again looks like a consolation wicket, as the Punjab skipper lofts him to Thapliyal at mid-off. Enter Fawad Shinwari, with Riaz on 91*.

Woermeijer has turned in a sterling effort with the ball, but Riaz looks really commanding now, driving him sweetly through the covers for four. 27 needed from the last seven, with Riaz on 89*.

The acceleration’s started now, nothing dramatic as yet, but with a greater sense of urgency. Ralston back from the Paddock End, and he almost gets Kaplan, who turns him to forward square leg and the ball drops just short of Ingram. He responds with a lovely straight drive for four. Make that a double, followed by a meaty pull through midwicket for another boundary. 100 required off 16, and with Croes on 64* and Kaplan 63*, Voorburg look firm favourites at this point.

Butt makes to drive Woermeijer, now back at the Equestrian Centre End, to the leg side, but the ball catches the edge and balloons to Ralph Elenbaas at gully/backward point. Sikander Zulfiqar in to join Riaz, who’s on 74* now.

Another for Boddendik as Mishra goes for 3, and then De Mey finishes it off, Zaidi caught by Mason at deep point for 32. Boddendijk ends with three for 29, two apiece for Singh, De Villiers and De Mey, one for Botha. A very good effort by the attack, and HBS win by 53 runs.

Fifty for Croes, and Verhagen turns back to pace, Jens Blankestijn on from the Paddock End. 133 needed from the last 20. Croes is on 52* and Kaplan 42*, and the stand’s worth 93.

Sayed skies Boddendik to Botha at long off, walking before the catch is taken, and Arav Mishra joins Zaidi. We’re into the endgame at ‘t Loopveld.

Riaz goes past fifty, and he’s now moved on to 64* as Braat returns from the Zuiderparkweg End. 61 needed from 14 overs at the somewhat inaptly named Zomercomplex.

13 overs left at ‘t Loopveld, and 72 still needed. With only three wickets in hand you’d think that’s likely to be beyond ACC’s remaining batters, although Zaidi is looking pretty solid.

Kaplan and Croes still largely content to milk the bowling, spinners Ingram and Luuk Kroesen operating in tandem at the moment. They know that with wickets in hand they can up the rate when they really need to. Half the overs have gone, and it’s still around six and a half an over.

Vandiar doesn’t last long, getting an inside edge to Woermeijer, Statham doing the rest. The big man goes for a duck, and Samir Butt joins Riaz. This could yet turn into a real tussle.

ACC now in real trouble, with Botha catching Sheena at cover as he’s beaten by steep bounce and unable to keep the ball down. The bat flies from his hands as the catch is taken. Then Singh gets another, Mahesh Hans bowled through the gate for a single. Sayed in to join Zaidi.

Musa finally loses patience, lashing out at Elenbaas and skying it in the direction of fly slip. Braat hares off from the gully and gets there to take another outstanding catch. Musa departs for 31, Riza still there on 49* and joined now by Jonathan Vandiar.

A drink at Westvliet with Kaplan and Croes still in occupation. But the asking rate’s beginning to creep up, and they’ll near to change gears fairly soon if it’s not to get out of hand.

De Villiers, meanwhile, has removed Ahmed, an impassioned, down-on-one-knee appeal persuading the umpire that he’s in front as he makes to sweep. Wickets pretty clearly ACC’s problem now, as Ammar Zaidi joins Sheena.

No last-moment turnaround though, as Shariz finishes it with a six over long on, to remain 36 not out. VRA win by six wickets.

Just 11 needed now, but Prince, on 79, drives Tom Hoornweg uppishly to cover, where Maninder Singh does the necessary. That feels like a consolation wicket, but cricket’s a . . . (you know the rest). Clayton Floyd joins Shariz, who’s on 29*.

Riaz distinctly the more adventurous of the two, going along at not far short of a run a ball, while Musa seems happy with the anchor role. Olivier Elenbaas back from the Zuiderparkweg End, and Musa plays out a maiden over.

This, one feels, is the partnership Excelsior need to break, but Kaplan and Croes are looking fairly comfortable and Ralston must be approaching the end of what has been an excellent spell of pace bowling. Still Lubbers from the other end.

Still Boddendijk from the Uilenstede End, with De Villiers operating now from the other. Ahmed’s gone to 28*, Sheena on 15* as ACC continue to make gradual progress. The asking rate’s still only a tad over four an over.

With Prince and Shariz well on top Snoep’s forced to bring Fraser back from the Pavilion End, but the batters are well set now, and he presents less of a menace. Prince, indeed, goes to a maiden Topklasse fifty with a cover drive off Ahmadi, and at the halfway point VRA need another 35. Something seems to have upset Shariz in that over, as he pulls Ahmadi away and runs down the pitch gesturing to the umpire, who calls a no ball. Unclear why. Prince now on 59*, Shariz 27*

They’re taking a drink at ‘t Zomercomplex, where Musa and Riaz are making steady progress, the only moment of violence Riaz smacking a six off Ekrami. With plenty of batting to come, there’s no need for too much adventurousness.

One brings two, as in the next over Ralston beats Gigani as he drives, and the ball clips the stumps. Noah Croes in to join Kaplan, with a lot of work to be done. Wicket maiden for Ralston, who has one for 1 from three.

Victor Lubbers on for Etman, and with his fourth delivery he gets it past De Lange’s bat and into his stumps. That brings Gavin Kaplan to the crease.

And then De Mey makes it four, Raza edging him to Walbrugh at slip. Guy Sheena in at six to play his first Topklasse innings.

Julien de Mey into the attack from the River Amstel End, but it’s Benno Boddendijk who gets the third after Van der Merwe twice hits him to the boundary, as he cuts hard and Reece Mason takes the catch at point. He goes for 26, and Anis Raza joins Ahmed, now on 19*.

Jabarkhail gets the breakthrough, as Minhas falls to a brilliant catch by Braat at cover point, leaping to his right to grasp the ball with both hands. Mohsin Riaz in to join Musa.

Umar Baker replaces Fraser, who has three for 32 from seven overs, and Prince lashes his second delivery over square leg for six. Lovely shot, and his first real sign of aggression. .

At Westvliet, Niels Etman takes the opening over from the Pavilion End, bowling to Nehaan Gigani and Cedric de Lange. Three singles, then De Lange plays the last ball behind point for four. Jason Ralston from the Paddock End.

Ahmed and Van der Merwe make it through to the end of the powerplay without further damage, although Botha is bowling with real fire, and persuades Ahmed to chase the final ball of his fifth. But he can’t get an edge, and it’s a maiden over.

Musa and Minhas are arguably the most accomplished opening pair in the competition (discuss . . . ), and they’ve successfully weathered Hermes’ initial onslaught. So Ekrami replaces Olivier Elenbaas, and the left-armer begins with a very tidy maiden.

Prince and Shariz are in the happy position of not being under any real scoreboard pressure, and can content themselves with seeing off the dangerous Fraser. Martijn Snoep is on from the Pavilion End now, with the batters intent on digging VRA out of trouble.

More trouble for ACC, as Potdar spars at a sharp delivery from Botha and fends a simple catch to De Villiers at second slip. Ben van der Merwe in to join Ahmed.

Punjab’s chase has started, Musa Ahmad and Shoaib Minhas opening against Olivier Elenbaas, from the Equestrian Centre End, and Jabarkhail. No alarums so far.

Another one gone at the Bermweg, and another wicket for Fraser. Smal, who had hit three fours in going to 15, is well beaten, and his stumps are shattered. Adam Constant in at four. And two balls later he departs as well, trapped in front by a rampant Fraser. 152 could take some getting here, as Shariz Ahmad joins Prince.

Lubbers and Etman take the total past 250, the former finishing with a quick 24*. That is, indeed, going to be a big task for Voorburg.

They’re back on at Het Loopveld, and the start is almost as exciting as that of the HBS innings: Singh opens from the Uilenstede End, and after Rahil Ahmed takes a single off his first delivery, Kothari goes after the fourth, gets a top edge towards square leg, and Del Bianco takes off like a whippet from beyond the stumps to snaffle a running overhead catch. Shreyas Potdar in much earlier than he would have liked.

Van Troost goes, bowled by Kaplan for 29. Niels Etman in to join Lubbers.

Van Troost and Lubbers are flurrying pretty successfully, Croes mixing up his bowlers but unable so far to get the wicket he needs. This is developing into a significant target they’ll have to chase.

There’s not hanging around, and there’s not hanging around. Fraser bowls a full, straight delivery to Rasool and it uproots his middle stump. First blood to Sparta, as Johan Smal joins Prince.

A wicket for Tim de Leede, as Kroesen lofts him in the direction of midwicket and Floris de Lange takes the catch. Victor Lubbers in for the final flurry.

VRA have started their chase at the Bermweg, Prince and Rasool facing Fraser from the Schollebos End. Single for Prince, then Rasool makes it clear he doesn’t intend to hang around, twice pulling him hard for four. Ahmadi from the Pavilion End.

Statham, who had made 18, swings at Niaz, and is caught by Sikander at mid-on. Niaz finishes with four for 33, and Punjab will be very pleased to have hauled that back from 125 for one at one stage.

Van Troost and Kroesen have indeed been leading a recovery at Westvliet, adding 28 so far and taking their side past the magic 200. They’ll be hoping for a few more in the final eight overs.

Murid Ekrami was the new man, but he soon cuts Niaz to Vandiar in the gully. Statham is joined by Ravi Thapliyal, who gets under a drive off Sikander and is caught by Musa at mid-off. Hermes, too, on the brink as Abdul Jabarkhail comes in to join Statham.

Useful runs from Boddendijk and Singh, who take their partnership into the final over, but when Boddendijk attempts to heave Arya over mid-on he misses and hears his off stump knocked back. Those 29 runs could turn out to be very important, though.

Punjab getting back on top at the Zomercomplex, thanks to a double strike by Suleiman Tariq and another by Sikander Zulfiqar. Olivier Elenbaas holes out to Niaz at wide mid-on for 45, immediately after pumping him for six, and in the former captain’s next brother Ralph is caught by Musa Ahmad at point. Then Nicky Woermeijer skies Sikander to square leg, and Hermes are squandering their good start.

Bang-bang at Westvliet, where first Ingram attempts a slog-sweep off Boissevain, top-edges it, and the bowler runs to his left to snaffle the catch. Then, the next over, Etman’s solid innings comes to an end when he drives Van Vliet straight to Boissevain P at mid-off, and has to depart for 80. That’s a big wicket for the champions, and Boissevain P has been involved in all four dismissals. Joost Kroesen joins Stan van Troost, and Excelsior have some rebuilding to do.

HBS are on the brink as well, as Sheena returns to bowl De Mey for 8. Amrit Singh the last man.

Full and straight from Eales pins Bashir in front as he walks across his stumps, goes for a creditable 30. Baker soon follows, caught off a top-edged swipe aimed at a drag-down from Floyd. Snoep and Hoornweg the last pair get Sparta past 150 before Fletcher finishes things off, taking the bail off off stump to get Snoep with two balls in the innings unused.

Another for Kothari as Khan is done round his legs, Boendermaker joins de Mey, but not for long as he’s pinned in front by Mishra for a three-ball duck. Boddendijk in.

Word coming in from de Diepput is it’s a no-go. Match Abandoned.

Wickets at Westvliet too, and it’s wristspin that finally does it. De Lange has Mitchell caught off a thick leading edge at extra, then next over Boissevain has Verhagen backing away to cut and chopping on. Ingram joins Etman now, who only seems to be accelerating. He’s into the 70s too and no sign of slowing up.

Niaz into the attack and a double breakthrough as Klijnhans miscues to long off, then two balls later Braat shanks one high over cover where Musa Ahmad gets some serious air to snatch a one hander out of the sky. Statham in with Elenbaas now, the latter on 39*.

Baker and Bashir stitching together an obdurate little partnership at Bermweg meanwhile, they’ve added 25 for the 8th wicket. Iles is bowled out, finishing with 2-21 from 10, Shariz too with 2-43 from his quota. Floyd and now Eales looking for the breakthrough

Still a whole load of nothing happening at HCC, where a solitary seagull now has the circle to himself…

A flurry of wickets at ‘t Loopveld meanwhile as del Bianco looks to kick on only to hole out off Kothari, Rahil Ahmed collecting the catch at deep midwicket, before Sayed gets the big fish in the next, de Villiers nicking off for 92. Kothari strikes again in his next over, Scholte popping a leading edge up into the on side for an easy catch, and of a sudden ACC are right back in this. Khan and de Mey the new bats.

Croes has prevailed upon Boissevain to bowl a couple of overs. His third ball slips out of the top of the hand and is slotted away behind square on the full for four, but then Boissevain gets one through Mitchell’s defenses and just milimeters past the stumps. Close, but still no way past this pair for VCC it seems. They’re both into the fifties now. Molenaar from the other end.

The century’s not to be for DDC today, it’s Musa Ahmad that gets him going for one shot too many, in the air an age before Riaz clings on at long on. He goes for 85, Klijnhans in.

And Iles takes matters into his own hands at Bermweg. After twice seeing Mudford dropped off his bowling he shows his team-mates how it’s done, diving low to his left to claim the reutrn catch off a leading edge and send Mudford on his way for 49. The young left armer spinner’s figures of 2 for 16 off 8 undersell how well he’s bowled so far today. Baker joins Bashir.

More conversations in the middle at de Diepput, but still no threat of a cricket match breaking out at this point.

Croes likewise looks at a loss as he cycles through his depleted bowling options. Century stand between Mitchell and Etman now and both just a shade shy of fifty.

ACC looking a little short of ideas as de Villiers slog-sweeps Arya high and away over the on side for another six. He’s closing in on a ton now, del Bianco still with him.

And three figures on the board at Bermweg too as Mudford is dropped off Iles again, out square on the pull this time. How much will that cost them?

Hundred up for Hermes too, Punjab have slowed the scoring some but a solid platform already. Musa Ahmad and Tariq operating for the hosts now..

Hundred up for the Crows, starting to kick on after a slow start. De Villiers into the 60s, del Bianco with him still but taking some time to get going, on 9* off 30-odd.

Double switch to Kaplan and Tom de Leede doesn’t work out for the hosts, Croes turns to legspinner Floris de Lange. Flip Boissevain is in the side today but seems to be sticking to his specialist bat policy for this trip. Both bats in the 30s now.

Iles gets his wicket and it’s almost an exact repeat of the chance that just went down a few overs back, except this time Fletcher holds on on the slide and, crucially, the bat that’s out is Singh rather than Mudford. Bashir in to join him now, Mudford in danger of running out of partners…

Tariq gets the breakthrough as he has Ostling caught for a 50-ball 24, but the danger-man is still there, DDC on 48* off 26 as Olivier Elenbaas is pushed up the order to join him.

Fifty for de Villiers, but Mason’s vigil comes to an end as he carves Sheena to point. Del Bianco in at five.

Covers are off but will be a while yet. Early lunch taken at de Diepput.

Steady if unshowy progress from Mitchell and Etman, they’ve put on 28 without loss, still van Vliet and Molenaar for the hosts. Ah scratch that, Kaplan coming into the attack now.

Potentially costly drop there as Mudford looks to take Iles high and straight, but too high and nor far enough, long on comes round and seems to take a great sliding catch but it spills as he looks to regain balance.

Hermes still cruising along at a run-a-ball, DDC driving the scoring with 35* off 20. The veteran Tariq into the attack now.

De Villiers driving the scoring at ‘t Loopveld meanwhile as HBS finally look to up the rate, takes a knee to Mahesh Hans to slog-sweep square for six.

Khalid Ahmadi the chief aggressor as Sparta counter-attack now, perhaps on the understanding that Mudford has to bat through. Lifts Shariz Ahmad over extra cover for his second six, precipitating a ball-hunt. The break seems to cost him his contcentration however as he drives to cover two balls later. Manminder Singh in, Mudford still there on 37*.

Covers are off and there’s more chats in the middle, but little sign of a toss as yet.

And game on at Westvliet too, Mitchell and Etman opening for Excelsior, van Vliet and Molenaar share the new ball.

And they’re away. Shafiq and Kamal share the new ball, Daniel Doyle Calle and Ashley Ostling opening for Hermes. And a brisk start for the Sky Blues, 34 without loss after six, as DDC takes Kamal for the first maximum of the innings.

And another down, Shariz Ahmad into the attack and deprives Mudford of another partner, Balwantsingh fails to pick the stock googly and is castled. Khalid Ahmadi in.

Arya and Sayed still for ACC, HBS going nowhere at the minute.

And Floyd strikes! On with the arm into Fraser’s leg stump and Sparta are three down. Balwantsingh in to join Mudford, who’s on 19* off 24.

Some milling around happening in the middle but the covers still firmly in place. We’re in for a wait I fear.

First sign of spin at Bermweg as Floyd takes over from Fletcher, Mudford and Fraser still circumspect.

Arya drops short and is muscled over the square rope by Walbrugh, but strikes back next ball as a top-edged slog comes down for Potdar to snaffle at long off. De Villiers in.

Hermes win the toss and will bat, should be underway at 12.10. No overs lost we understand.

Toss at noon and a 12.30 start is the word at Westvliet. 48-overs each way and they’ve shaved ten minutes off Lunch.

Sayed pulled after one successful over, Raza into the attack. Scratch that it’s a change of ends. Just one off his next, HBS looking a bit pinned down…

Covers still on for now.

Ahir Abid replaces Ealeas, short and sits up second ball and Fraser pulls it to the square rope for his first boundary. Both bats on 10* as Sparta look to rebuild.

Umpires heading out for another look shortly, with a view to getting on at 12.10 if it looks ok.

Action at ‘t Loopveld now too, and how! Izhaan Sayed strikes first ball, back of a length, Lehan Botha on the pull but it climbs on him, top edged straight up and Sayed collects comfortably in his follow-through. Walbrugh in at three, Mason with him. Arya shares the new ball.

First runs of the day as Fraser digs a full ball from Eales back straight, mid on can’t get there and they hurry three. And a boundary in the next! Wide slot from Fletcher and Mudford cashes in, wristy six over cover point. His is both the necessary and sufficient wicket for VRA today you’d say.

Raining at de Diepput now, covers back on…

Fletcher strikes in his first too, over the wicket, full and swinging back in to Singh, into the pads dead in front. Might that have pitched outside leg though? Singh seems to think so but the umpire doesn’t. Fraser in, Sparta two down after two without a run to show for it. Eales to continue.

And we have cricket! Elijah Eales takes the new ball for VRA. Martina and Gagandeep Singh for the hosts. And an early wicket too, four dots to Martina and then a prod outside off bring s the edge, into the gloves of Martina’s fellow Sint Maartener Demari Prince. Mudford at three. Ben Fletcher from the other end.

Hoping to get started at noon at Westvliet. Won’t lose any overs if they manage that.

And only a minor delay at ‘t Loopveld. ACC have won the toss and put HBS in to bat. 11.30 start is the plan, no overs lost (yet).

Zomercomplex not really living up to its name either, bit damp, inspection at 11.30.

Covers back on at Westvliet…

Covers are off at de Diepput, umpires are out there fussing about the wicket, timely start looks unlikely…

VRA win the toss at Bermweg and invite their hosts to bat first. Start delayed by 15 minutes owing to traffic…

Still too wet at Westvliet, the outfield especially. Inspection at 11.30.