Topklasse Live | Round 2 | As it Happened

Widish and hacked back past the bowler, chased down on the rope but they’re pushing hard and get three. Maybe not the smartest move from Hermes there. Barresi back on strike. No scratch that it has gone for four after all. Boddendijk still facing. And that proves crucial in the end. The next is punched straight to mid on and no chance of a single. Braat with what looks to be a back-of-the-hand fullish slower ball and Boddendijk spoons it straight, Elebaas around from mid-on takes a rolling catch and that’s the game. Barresi left stranded on 57* off 90 as Hermes win by 13 runs.

Barresi still picking his balls, chases a full toss down leg to pick up four more off Braat to go past fifty, then again takes a single on the fifth, Boddendijk survives. Dutt still for the 47th, and a tight two through midwicket first ball, single to long on three balls later leaving Boddendijk to face, two slips come in and a dab to leg yields another single. Dutt finds the dot on the final ball to strand Barresi at the non-strikers for the next over. Braat to bowl it.

And so he does, waiting on the bad ball then putting Braat away over leg for six before chipping a single over the leg side. Sweeps Dutt for four first ball of the next, before taking another single four balls later to keep strike. Boddendijk survives a strong LBW shout next ball to see out the over. HBS just hanging on in there…

Barresi battling on with the tail meanwhile, but that’s beginning to look like a lost cause too as Rossouw falls to Jabarkhail, who finishes with figures of 4-35 from 10. Boddendijk the last man, seven overs to ger 40 runs, Barresi on 30* off 70 will have to have a crack now you’d think.

It’s the unheralded left-arm spin of Cedric de Lange that wraps things up at Westvliet, bagging the last two wickets to see VOC all out for 197 as Voorburg win by 131 runs.

Van Troost falls in the final over, just one hit away from what would have been a thoroughly deserved century, chasing a wider ball from Jacod and miscuing to deepish cover. 94 off 96 his final score. Blankenstijn joins Ralston for the final four deliveries, the hosts finishing on 267-9 as Kampong win by 43 runs.

And a fifth for Hartzoglou, Tim de Kok comprehensively castled. Jelte Schoonheim in, but not for long, struck on the front pad first ball and the finger goes up. That’s six for Hartzoglou at the cost of 35 runs.

Van Troost dumps a low full toss from Jacod over the leg boundary for a no-look six to move into the 80s, Etman has a crack too, but his attempted slog-sweep ends up in the hands of Bangs tracking round from deep midwicket. Ralston joins van Troost.

Barresi loses another partner as Braat raps de Mey on the back pad and the finger goes up. Rossouw in.

Kroesen’s entertaining innings comes to an end as he looks to slog-sweep Ingram but can’t clear the man in the deep. He goes for a 30-ball 33, swiftly followed by Edward, who edges behind for a four-ball duck. Niels Etman joins van Troost, who’s on 67*.

And a fourth for Hartzoglou, Tim de Kok comprehensively castled. Jelte Schoonheim in, but not for long, struck on the front pad first ball and the finger goes up. That’s five for Hartzoglou at the cost of 35 runs.

Things swinging back Hermes’ way at the Loopuyt Oval meanwhile, as Dutt removes de Beer caught Statham at first slip after deflecting off the keeper’s pads looks like, then Braat strikes next over to bowl Boendermaker with a dipping slower ball. HBS hopes rest with Wes Barresi, he’s on 29* and joined now by Julian de Mey.

And a creditable effort from Excelsior too, as Stan van Troost brings up his fifty guiding Gopinath fine for four. He and Kroesen both playing with the freedom an improbable chase affords, the latter with two sixes to his name, van Troost just the one but five fours to go with it. Ingram from the other end.

Three for Hartzoglou, Janett bowled for a 93-ball 76. Van Wingerden the new man. Creditable effort from the VOC top order but the target’s only getting further away.

Crowley takes Malik’s off bail, Sparta 9-down now, Snoep last man. And five balls later it’s all over as Brown has Snoep caught behind, the hosts all out for 102 as HCC win by 176 runs.

The match is still very much in the balance at ‘t Loopuyt though, Barresi and de Beer together for the sixth wicket, 66 to get in 17.

Likewise the game’s long gone at Bermweg, Brown has Tim Ferguson caught behind with the hosts still one short of three figures. Ahsan Malik in.

Van Tonder whips Nana away square for a flat six, but loses his off stump next ball. Van Troost still there on 40*, joined now by Joost Kroesen, but the target is well out of reach now.

Three for Jabarkhail, Kyle Klein LBW for 1, de Beer in.

A maiden Topklasse half-century for Monty Singh, but now a maiden Topklasse wicket for Hartzoglou to see the back of Singh, bowled for a 70-ball 55. Arnav Jain in, but not for long as he’s bowled by Hartzoglou for one. TdK in.

Sparta’s chase continues to unravel, Singh goes courtesy a big-air leading edge off Yash Patel, then Venter bowls Boorer a few overs later. Even triple figures looking a ways off now, Tim Ferguson and Umar Baker the new bats.

HBS wobbling of a sudden, Walbrugh slaps Jabarkhail to mid on and goes for 28, then in Jabarkhail’s next Botha is cleaned up for a 2-ball duck. Klein in with Barresi now.

Asking rate beginning to tell and Rahaley goes pulling Bangs into the hands of deep backward square, and split webbing or no, van Tonder comes to the crease.

Janett and Singh still building, on 62* and 47* respectively, but the asking rate still climbing. 200 behind still at the half-way stage

Hundred up for Excelsior meanwhile, Rahaley in the 20s already having hit Ingram for back-to-back sixes down the ground. Van Tonder, we’re told, hasn’t come in yet as he’s nursing a hand injury from the first innings having nipped down to the hospital to get his webbing stitched back together…

Sparta five down meanwhile, Scheepers trying to cut a back-of-a-length ball from Crowley but back get on top of it, edged through to the keeper. Manminder Singh joins Boorer.

Janett and Singh still, the former having recorded his maiden Topklasse half-century, Singh on 36*.

Another down at ‘t Loopuyt, Kothari has Mason squared up and pinned in front. Barresi in.

Excelsior lose their third, Kroesen down the track to Ingram and picks out long off. Rahaley in at four.

Braat brings himself on and breaks the stand, del Bianco picking out o[point and gone for 29. Walbrugh in with Mason now.

It’s Denmark’s Monty Singh in with Janett, and Oberholzer the second LBW earlier. Still Nashier and van Vliet for VCC.

Double breaktrhough at Thurlede meanwhile as Jacod has Verhagen caught behind, and then the big wicket of Naqvi miscuing a low full toss to O’Dowd at midwicket. Stan van Troost joins Kroesen.

Sparta’s troubles continue at de Lange takes Steenbergen’s off pole before Overdijk has Klesse wafting, outside edge well held at second slip. Boorer and Scheepers in now.

Back at Westvliet Kimgma found his line and Recordon’s pad, one down. Three balls later and that looks like TdK done the same way. Two down. Jannet’s rebuilding with someone, not sure who at this point, and looks like Nashier and van Vliet bowling for Voorburg. Information stream is a bit choppy at the minute.

VRA wasted little time in wrapping that up, Nidamanuru flogging Minhas away for four over the on side to seal the win. He finishes with 19* off 12, Cassidy 45* off 52 as VRA win by 8 wickets.

Hermes also still hunting for their first wicket, Del Bianco driving the scoring in a thus-far unbroken 31-run opening stand with Mason. Still Elenbaas and Numair for Hermes.

Steady start for Excelsior meanwhile, Verhagen and Kroesen have added 45 without loss in the first 10. Asking rate inevitably climbing though. Roy and Jacod now for Kampong.

Another for Overdijk, Ferguson caught for 2, Sparta stumbling out of the gate here as Klesse comes to the crease.

VRA lose their second as Smal picks out long off off Tariq, but it’s come way too late to make a difference. Nidamanuru joins Cassidy for the final stretch.

Sparta off in pursuit, but lose Balwantsingh early, caught behind off Overdijk first ball of the fifth. Sam Ferguson joins Steenbergen in the middle and blocks out the over.

Back in action at ‘t Loopuyt too, Del Bianco and Mason opening for the Crows. Ralph Elenbaas takes the new ball and he’s just spraying it everywhere today. Aiming for del Bianco’s front pad one imagines, but gives up four wides, a leg bye and then a four glanced through oddly vacant fine leg. Numair from the other end…

And they’re underway again at the Zomercomplex too, Smal and Cassidy continuing from where they left off at lunch. The latter looks intent on catching-up to the former, taking three boundaries off Masood in the 13th. Both bats in the thirties now.

Second innings underway at Thurlede too, Luuk Kroesen and Roel Verhagen set off on the mountainous chase. Nana and Kumar share new ball duties,

And they’re back on at Westvliet, Scott Jannet and Peter Recordon opening for VOC, Kingma and Mumba share the new ball. The former’s a tad wayward in his first opener, two wides and twice carved away through the off side for four by Jannet, but Mumba’s got his radar sorted, gives up just a single in the second.

A spirited effort from the HCC tail lifts them to 278-9 as they go to lunch, though Sparta will be pleased to have held them under 300 given where they were at the second drinks break. An impressive turnaround nonetheless from the HCC top-order especially after a rather embarrassing showing last week.

Doyle-Calle finishes unbeaten on 89* from 93, having dragged Hermes to within touching distance of 200. Something to bowl at certainly, but HBS will be pretty happy with their morning’s work one imagines.

Something to cheer for the hosts at last as a flurry of wicket fall at the death, Blankenstijn and Ralston wrapping up the Kampong tail comparatively cheaply. 310 all out the final total with 8 balls unused, but fait to say the damage has been done. Huge ask for Excelsior after lunch.

Lunch at the Zomercomplex now, and VRA have the chase half-done already. Saml on 33* off 34, Cassidy on a comparatively sedate 14* off 28.

Wickets continue to fall at Bermeg meanwhile, and the hopes of another 300+ score this morning have receded. Malik again involved in both wickets, taking the catch off Balwantsingh to dismiss Brown and then running out Crowley. Yash Patel and Mark Wolfe for HCC now with three overs to come.

DDC playing something of a lone hand for Hermes meanwhile, he’s on 67* off 78 but in danger of running out of either time or partners as Rossouw claims his third successive wicket. With the rest of the team striking at well under 50 one might question the wisdom of dropping him down to four…

Voorburg have likewise cruised past 300, though they started losing wickets at the death too. De Leede is caught off Harhangi deep midwicket after taking 20 off the previous five deliveries, finishing on 83 off 51, Croes caught reverse-sweeping Arnav Jain into the hands of the bowler’s brother at backward point, then Melville is bowled five balls later. Harhangi picks up the wicket of Udit Nashier to finish with figures of 3-60, but very much VCC’s morning as they rack up a total of 328-8 from their 50 overs.

Kampong spending wickets now looking to force the pace, Bangs holes out to long on off Naqvi for 11, Pierre Jacod is run out as Ingram stumbles setting off and sends him back to certain doom, then Ingram himself falls for 76, caught in the deep on the onside off Blankenstijn. Roy and Nana in now though running up the score, and they’ve taken Kampong past the 300-mark.

They’re back on a the Zomercomplex for a quick session before lunch, and the host have picked up the early wicket of Vikram Singh, caught off a looping leading edge looking to put Sajjad Kamal away over the leg side. Cassidy’s been joined by Johan Smal in the middle, the latter looking in fine touch again with 20* to his name already.

Ahsan Malik leading something of a one-man fightback for the Spartans meanwhile, has Gorlee caught Balwantsingh just after the HCC skipper completed a breezy run-a-ballish century, then follows up with the wicket of Overdijk, caught for 20 off 14 balls. Brown and Crowley the two new bats, 300 still on if they can keep the runs flowing, six overs to make another 48.

Half-century for Doyle, much needed by his side, but Klein still has two overs left, Botha three, and Rossouw five, so the closing overs aren’t going to be easy for Hermes.

Suddenly, Punjab collapse in a heap, Ruffell removing Tariq junior and Mahmood for ducks and Singh taking a return catch to dismiss Suleiman Tariq. Ruffell finishes with five for 19, Singh two for 3 from eight deliveries.

No century for Kaplan today: he has to make do with 70 as he plays Schoonheim into the covers off the back foot, and Pieter Recordon takes the catch. Croes in to join De Leede for a final flourish.

Umar Baker traps Banerjee in front for 47, but Gorlee’s on 93* now, joined by Hidde Overdijk.

Wicket for Sam Rahaley, Edwards caught by Blankestijn for 59 as he clips the spinner to square leg. Ingram’s on 47*, batting now with Lachlan Bangs. Excelsior looking at a chase in the 300s here.

Doyle and Braat doing the necessary, but they still have a mountain to climb. And it just got steeper, as Jayden Rossouw removes Braat, who holes out to Sellin de Beer at deep and wide mid-on and departs for 22. Sahil Kothari the new man.

Masood gone for 8, trapped in front by Vikram Singh, but Riaz is still there on 35*. He’s batting now with Affaan Tariq – and as I write this, Ruffell gets Riaz, pulling him down the throat of Shariz at deep square leg. Punjab in deep trouble now, as Aaliyan Mahmood joins young Tariq.

De Lange’s gone for 56, bowled by Siebe van Wingerden. But that’s brought in Bas de Leede to join Kaplan, who’s reached yet another half-century. Kaplan now on 56*, and they take another drink at Westvliet.

Gorlee on to 67*, Banerjee on 20*, and the stand worth 73. HCC, too, have built a very solid platform, and they must be looking for a total somewhere in the region of 250.

Desperate times for Excelsior now, as Edwards and Ingram cash in on a very good start. They’ve added 60 in twelve and a bit overs, with Edwards now on 47* and Ingram on 33*. Verhagen too has tried seven bowlers, but the need for a wicket is becoming acute.

Still slow going at the Loopuyt Oval, but Hermes really need Doyle and Braat to build a big partnership. Walbrugh’s still used only four bowlers, with Lehan Botha back now from the Pavilion End.

No repeat today, as Ruffell returns and has Sikander Zulfiqar caught behind by Cassidy for 5. Ahsan Massod joins Riaz, who has gone to 32* and is now Punjab’s best hope for a decent total.

A half-century for Cedric de Lange as well, and the stand with Kaplan’s up to 87. De Kok’s used seven bowlers, but Harhangi’s the only one with a number in the wickets column. Twenty overs left, and Croes, Bas de Leede, Melville and Mumba to come. VOC are on the ropes.

Gorlee brings up his half-century, and he and Banerjee have put on fifty-plus together as well. Gorlee’s on 58* now, and Banerjee on 15*. HCC appear to be bouncing back from last week’s poor batting performance, with a vengeance.

A first wicket for Antum Naqvi, Lane Berry trapped in front for 38. And in comes Lorenzo Ingram to take on his old mates at Thurlede.

Klein returns to remove Ostling for 23, caught behind by Del Bianco, and then, two balls later, Nick Statham without scoring. Doyle, in at four, is joined by skipper Braat, but Hermes, too, need a big partnership here.

Hake gets Butt, caught by Luke Scully for 24, and Vandiar has also come and gone, bowled by Shariz Ahmad for 5. That’s brought last week’s saviours for Punjab, Riaz and Sikander Zulfiqar, together again, but they’ll have to make it a double if their side is to get back on top here.

A very valuable third-wicket stand between De Lange and Kaplan is now approaching the half-century, with De Kok rotating his bowlers in search of a much-needed wicket. Upadhyaya and Janett operating now.

Ahsan Malik returns to remove a becalmed Tonny Staal, caught by Manminder Singh for 24. Shirsak Banerjee has joined Gorlee, who’s gone on to 32*. Singh on for Scheepers now.

Not so much elsewhere in Schiedam, where Berry and Edwards are merrily carrying on from where O’Dowd and Van den Berg left off. Naqvi continues from the City End, with Niels Etman having replaced Karson Edward from the other. Berry and Edwards on 30* and 21* respectively.

Julien de Mey and Sellin de Beer into the attack now, but runs are still hard to come by for Ostling and Zulfiqar at the moment.

A really unlucky dismissal for Musa, who, after hitting Abid for a couple of boundaries, bottom-edges a firm shot into the mat and back into his stumps. He’s gone for 14, and Mohsin Riaz comes in a four.

A terrific piece of fielding by Tim de Kok at cover point removes Levitt for 42: he leaps across from cover and throws the wicket down from square, beating Levitt’s desperate dive. That’s a captain leading from the front! But it does bring Gavin Kaplan to the crease, joining Cedric de Lange.

Baker’s got the breakthrough at the Bermweg, White stumped by Boorer for 22. Gorlee has joined Staal, and has gone off at a fair clip, hitting four boundaries to move briskly to 21*. He’s overtaken the usually aggressive Staal already.

A dramatic final powerplay over at Thurlede, Van den Berg hitting Blankestijn for three successive boundaries before holing out to Niels Etman and departing for a 26-ball 42. Enter Scott Edwards to join Berry.

Klein finishes the powerplay with a big wicket, Dutt trapped in front for 13. Asad Zulfiqar in to join Ostling.

Sharad Hake on now from the Equestrian Centre End, with Butt and Musa labouring somewhat against a steady VRA seam attack.

Levitt, looking to be in great form, has moved to 41*, with De Lange on 15*. Aaditt Jain’s come in for some serious tap, his three overs going for 41, and he’s been replaced by Jelte Schoonheim. A very, very good start for the home side.

White and Staal still together at the end of the powerplay, Scheepers contributing an excellent tenth over which goes for just a leg-bye. White on 20* now, Staal on 19*, 14 of them from just three of the 34 deliveries he’s faced.

Ralston gets his man: O’Dowd caught behind by Verhagen for 30 (from 25), bringing Lane Berry in to join Van den Berg. Antum Naqvi into the attack, but his first two overs have gone for 26.

Botha, bowling from the Railway End, and Klein keep it tight for HBS, but when Klein overpitches slightly Dutt clips him through midwicket for four. A bit of an arm-wrestle at the Loopuyt at the moment.

Minhas has gone at the Zomercomplex, caught behind by Cassidy off Ruffell’s bowling for 2. Musa Ahmad joins Butt, and they’re slowly rebuilding after that early setback. Ruffell and Abid still operating.

A solid start by White and Staal, and Snoep turns to Juandre Scheepers and Umar Baker after just five overs.

Hatzoglou, batting like a pinch-hitter, drives Harhangi through mid-off for four, then hammers him straight for six. But when he tries to go over the top again he miscues, and the ball flies to Scott Janett at deepish point. 23 off 12 for Hatzoglou, and Cedric de Lange in at three.

Elsewhere in Schiedam, Damien van den Berg and Max O’Dowd have started briskly against Jason Ralston and Jens Blankestijn, O’Dowd having already smacked five fours in as many overs.

Hermes also put in after Walbrugh wins the toss, and Dutt and Ostling make a quiet start against Lehan Botha and Kyle Klein, Dutt surviving a VERY sustained appeal for leg-before off the final ball of Klein’s second.

Having been put in by Teja Nidamanuru, Shoaib Minhas and Samir Butt make a good start for Punjab. No Ben Fletcher for VRA today, so Ashir Abid shares the new ball with Peter Ruffell.

Sparta have won the toss at the Bermweg and put HCC in. Six off Ahsan Malik’s first over goes for six, a boundary and a brace for Oliver White, who opens with Tonny Staal. Joost-Martijn Snoep returns to the side to bowl the second over.

They’re out in the middle at Westvliet, Hatzoglou opening with Michael Levitt. Roman Harhangi takes the first over from the Paddock End, starting with a wide. Levitt off the mark with a single into the covers. Hatzoglou shows every sign of wanting to get on with it, and he gets a couple through backward point off the final delivery. Aaditt Jain from the Pavilion End.

Noah Croes has won the toss at Westvliet (yes, Westvliet), and elected to bat.

Another anticipated change: Antum Naqvi is in Excelsior’s twelve, and we assume he’ll play. Kampong unchanged, and we gather that they’ve won the toss and elected to bat.

HBS unchanged from last week, but Daniel Doyle Calle returns for Hermes, with Mussayab Jamil making way for the Spanish international.

Punjab will indeed be without the injured Saqib Zulfiqar today, and Burhan Niaz is also missing from the declared eleven, with Jonathan Vandiar coming into the side along with young Affaan Rauf Tariq.

No news of the toss from Westvliet yet, but we can reveal that the twelve-man Voorburg squad includes two debutants, former Zimbabwean international Carl Mumba, whom we knew about, and Australian leg spinner Peter Hatzoglou, who seems to have slipped past us under the radar. It seems a fair bet that with his eccentric bowling action and variations he will cause batters plenty of problems this season.