Topklasse Live | Round 4 | As it Happened

The thriller of the day is the last to finish at Bermweg, and it’s been the contrasting innings of Klesse and Ahmadi that’s won it for Sparta. The latter falls before the end caught and bowled Ruffel for 38, but not before hitting five sixes in his 27-ball innings that entirely reversed the run rate pressure. Klesse’s unbeaten 75 underpinned the chase though, delivering his side their first points of the season as Sparta win by 4 wickets

And all over, an anticlimactic end as Rahaley tosses one way too wide outside off, past the diving keeper and away for five wides. Nashier and Charumbira take them home as Voorburg win by 4 wickets

Usman Malik takes six off Kroesen with a ridiculous front foot kneeling pull, but is cleaned up next ball. Good day for Kroesen but too late for his side you feel. Nashier and Charumbira now.

Klesse still, but it’s Khalid Ahmadi that addresses the asking rate issue taking Abhinay for two sixes back end of the 41st. Still not easy from here but Sparta on target for now.

And at Zomercomplex too, Mahmood forced into adventure with just four balls to go and looks to scoop Harhangi, miscue and up off the pad, TdK behind the stumps of a sudden, tracks back and makes no mistake. VOC win by 5 runs.

All over at de Diepput meanwhile, Wolfe trying to lift de Mey over long on but can’t clear the field, second upset of the day as HBS win by 52 runs

Klesse clearly planning on taking this deep, but gets one he likes the look of from Abhinay and puts him out of the ground. Loses Scheepers in the next though, caught off Abid for 20. Ahmadi in.

Well if you thought events at Westvliet were drifting toward an inevitability, Joost Kroesen would like a word. Out of nowhere has Kaplan prodding down the wrong line and struck in front. Then Klukarni, then de Leede. Second hat-trick of the day and VCC suddenly reeling on the final straight.

Hussain and Mahmood just edging Pubjab up toward the target, but Oberholzer has the former feeling for one outside off and nicked to slip. Tariq last man joins Mahmood. 16 to get in three.

Barresi again, Crowley caught behind off a feather edge now. Wolfe and Venter at the crease now but the Crows well on top.

Hundred for Kaplan with a back foot punch off Naqvi for one, Melville dinks one behind point to bring up the team 200 next ball. VCC in complete control.

Klesse still playing the long game at Bermweg, into the 30’s and still striking at 50. He’s lost another partner now as Baker’s run out by Cassidy. Scheepers with him now and still plenty of wickets in hand, not a lot of bats though…

Shinwari brings up his fifty in the 41st but next over he goes, LBW to Oberholzer. Hussain joins Mahmood, 31 to get for the Punjab tail, Bloodhounds smelling, well…

HCC stuttering now, Barresi sends down a low wide full toss, Patel flashes and laces a drive to cover. Five balls later he has another, miscued slog from Brown flies high toward long off and held.

Roy ruins it for both bats with a wide bouncer that evades the keeper and goes for five wides. Both bats miss the milestone in the end, Ostling ending with 92* off 127 and Zulfiqar with 44* off 63 as the hosts cruise to a comfortable victory –Hermes win by 9 wickets

Blankenstijn finally breaks the stand, wide outside off the de Lange and toe ended high and hard to deep backward third. Melville joins Kaplan.

Only question at the Loopuyt now is whether Zulfiqar will get fifty or Ostling his ton, or whether they’ll spoil it for each other. Not enough room for both. Ostling on 84*, Zulfiqar on 43*.

Abhiney cleans up Ferguson for 46, Baker to the middle, Klesse on a very circumspect 18 off 45. Long tail today for Sparta though, Klesse key to their hopes from here you’d say, but he’ll have to take some chances at some point.

Another down at de Diepput, Overdijk caught behind square off a big top edge off Botha. Time on HCC’s side but HBS still have 110 runs to play with as they take a step closer to the tail. Brown in to join Patel, who’s just into the teens.

Aaditt Jain breaks the partnership at 74, Gondal caught behind for 34. Punjab well back in the game though if Shinwari can hang in. He’s into the 40s, Mahmood joins him.

Kaplan brings up the 150-partnership brushing Rahaley off his pads for a single behind square, he’s on 75* off 70, de Lange still with him on 61*off 87. Voorburg cruising here, Blankenstijn back.

Fifty partnership between Zulfiqar and Ostling too, and it’s pretty much put the game to bed. Hard to see Kampong fighting back from here. Left arm spin at both ends now with Ingram and Gopinath in tandem, but the game slipping away from the visitors…

Klesse and Ferguson trying to play the same role for the hosts now as Smal and Gouge did for the visitors, just grinding out the beginnings of a partnership here. Spinners on, Abhiney and Turmaine for VRA.

150-up for HCC, but Benno Boddendijk finds a double breakthrough in the 22nd, Gorlee clipping to midwicket for 79, then White last ball of the over caught behind off what looks like a bottom edge. Overdijk and Patel in now, can HBS fight their way back into the game?

Fifty partnership for Gondal and Shinwari, and despite Punjab’s collapse VOC find themselves in need of a wicket again. Oberholzer into the attack now.

Kaplan goes to fifty guiding Joost Kroesen behind point, then Cedric de Lange brings up the century partnership cutting Naqvi behind square in the next over.

After a period of pressure applied by Jacod and Gopinath, Roy gets the key wicket of Doyle-Calle cutting uppishly to backward point, but has it come too late for his side? DDC out in the 70’s again, Asad Zulfiqar joins Ostling.

Ruffel has Boorer caught Gouge, and really does look a bowler’s day at Bermweg. Abid into the attack now for VRA, Klesse the new man for Sparta.

Kaplan and de Lange continue serenely on meanwhile, Edward and Naqvi into the attack now and one suspects the latter may be as key to Excelsior’s hopes in the second innings as he was in the first….

De Mey’s got Staal LBW kind of falling over a nothing straight ball for a 41-ball 37, but Gorlee’s still there and well past fifty already. Ollie White with him now, HCC still on track.

Punjab have limped to fifty meanwhile, Gondal and Shinwari have arrested gthe carnage at least. Will really only need one partnership to win this game though so the visitors can’t let them stay together too long. Still Schoonheim and Harhangi…

Jacod and Gopinath now for Kampong looking for the breakthrough, but Ostling and DDC have already knocked off more than half the requisite runs and looked largely untroubled doing it. They’re on 40* and 69* respectively, flip those figures for approximate balls faced.

Ferguson and Boorer battling out there, from what we hear it is not easy to score out there. Fletcher and Ruffel still for VRA.

Another fifty partnership for Kaplan and de Lange inside the powerplay, and 255 not looking too far off from here. Etman into the attack.

Boris Gorlee just continuing where he left off, pumps a low full toos from de Mey over long off for six now, He’s into the 30s off not many, Staal on a comparatively sedate 26* off 30-odd. HBS in trouble.

Doyle-Calle’s gone to fifty inside the powerplay, slams Ingram over long off for a one bouncer, then a hard run three behind point, Hermes flying.

Maiden from Harhangi on Gondal, and then there it is! Hat-trick for Jelte Schoonheim as he pins Sikander Zulfiqar in front first ball. Shinwari next man. Punjab in shambles.

Two more gone at Zomercomplex, Jelte Schoonheim into the attack and removes Riaz and Niaz in successive deliveries. He’ll be on a hatrick next over. Zulfiqar joins Gonadal in the middle.

Doyle-Calle’s got Hermes off to a brisk start, driving the scoring as he races to 31 off 20. Ostling comparatively becalmed at the other end, but squeezes Kumar away for four behind point last ball of the 8th.

And we’re back at Bermweg, Steenbergen and Sam Ferguson batting for the hosts. Slow start in the face of new-ball pair Fletcher and Ruffel, and as I type Ruffel removes Steenbergen for 1, Boorer at three.

And play’s resumed at Westvliet too, Kaplan and de Lange opening, Ralston and Blankenstijn opening the bowling for Excelsior.

Back on at de Diepput too, Tonny Staal opening with Victor Weismeir, or rather he was as the latter chips a low return catch back to Barresi last ball of the second over. Gorlee at three, Botha shares the new ball.

Well now. Punjab collapsing out of the gate in what had looked a pretty straightforward chase. Sieb van Wingerden twice combines with van der Meulen to remove openers Minhas and Butt, before Aaditt Jain pins Musa Ahmad LBW. Punjab 3 down out of nowhere, Gondal and Riaz in.

They’re back on at Hermes, Ashley Ostling opening with DDC, back up the order again today. His wicket (or lack thereof) will be key today one suspects. Nana and Kumar share the new ball.

Umar Baker back to remove Constant for 18, but Fletcher and Abid take the total past 200.

They’re back on at the Zomercomplex, Siebe van Wingerden taking the first over to Samir Butt and Shoaib Minhas.

Same story at Westvliet, really, where, after De Leede bowls Ralston for 28, Naqvi hits Charumbira for six but then holes out to Udit Nashier at long on when he tries to do it again. His 121 came from 97 balls with ten fours and six sixes. Three apiece for Van Vliet and Charumbira, but Excelsior will be pretty happy with that.

Walbrugh finishes with 93*, the usual flurry of wickets as HBS look to pile on the runs. Navjit Singh made a 28-ball 27, and Sellin de Beer and Elmar Boendermaker perished for the cause. That might be enough, but HCC proved last week they can chase big totals.

Scheepers removes Abhinay and Turmaine with successive deliveries, and then Ahmadi dismisses Peter Ruffell. Adam Constant’s on 11*, but apart from Gouge and Smal he’s the only one to reach double figures for VRA. Scheepers has finished with four for 33, Malik has one left.

Charumbira back from the Pavilion End, but this ninth-wicket stand is past 50 now, Naqvi on 112* and Ralston on 24*. Voorburg’s batting, too, faces a tough task.

It’s all over in a rush, Berry trying a reverse slog-sweep off Kothari and caught by Numair at deep point for 119. Then Jabarkhail comes back to grab three quick wickets, finishing with three for 30. Honours about even in the Match of the Day.

Navjit gets off to a flyer, racing to 24*, with Walbrugh now in 78*. HCC are going to have another significant chase on their hands.

It ends at 157, Smal caught by Ahmadi off Scheepers for 86, and then Ahsan Malik returns to remove Gouge, caught by Manminder Singh, for 69. Imaan Zaidi soon follows, caught behind by Boorer off Scheepers, and VRA are back in trouble.

It’s Oberholzer who’s out, caught by Musa off Mahmood for a gallant 85. Three wickets apiece for Mubashar Hussain (three for 24) and Musa Ahmad (three for 20). VOC will, as they say, have to bowl very, very well.

A maiden Topklasse hundred for Antum Naqvi, and with Jason Ralston giving him valuable support Excelsior are building a solid total. Naqvi on exactly 100*, Ralston on 13*.

Botha, continuing to lash out furiously, finds Tonny Staal in the deep off Venter’s bowling, and goes for 1`19. It came from 90 deliveries, with eight fours and eight sixes; really quite an innings. Navjit Singh in to join Walbrugh, who has quietly gone on to 66*.

Berry reaches three figures for Kampong for the first time, but there’s a double strike by Sebastiaan Braat at the other end, Chaturvedi caught behind by Zulfiqar for 18 and Pierre Jacod three balls later, a fine catch by Doyle, diving forward, at mid-on. Robert van der Harten the new man, with Berry now on 117*.

Two more for Musa, Aaditt Jain for 5 and Jelte Schoonheim for 1, both bowled, and only Roman Harhangi now to keep Oberholzer company. He’s on 79*, but it’s close to the end for VOC.

Not sure what gear we’re in now, but the runs are coming much more freely: Tim Ferguson’s introduction into the attack results in a 29-run over, including a six for Gouge and 6-4-4-6 for Smal. The captain goes to 81*, his partner to 58*, and the stand’s worth 144.

Wickets continue to fall, Malik getting Etman smartly caught by Gavin Kaplan at cover point for 4. Karson Edward follows, caught behind by Melville for 5. Naqvi’s still there, on 88* and counting.

Yash Patel into the attack for HCC, and Botha, on 91*, lofts him square for four. Two balls later, he smacks him over the leg side for six to move to his century, the bowler’s reaction suggesting there might have been a half-chance involved. Walbrugh’s gone to 50* at the other end, and things are looking quite promising for HBS.

Drinks at the Loopuyt Oval, with Berry having moved on to 86*, off just 79 deliveries. The Hermes attack is working hard, but they really need to see the back of Berry, sooner rather than later.

The half-century stand between Oberholzer and Van Wingerden comes to an end, as the latter is caught by Minhas off Musa Ahmad for 22. Oberholzer has gone past fifty, on 59* now.

The change of gears has duly eventuated, with Smal hitting Snoep for back-to-back boundaries. He’s on 46* now, and Gouge is on 47*, a decent platform but still a long way to go.

Joost Kroesen’s gone as well, trapped in front by Usman Malik for 17. Niels Etman in with Naqvi, whose initial onslaught has been slowed, not least by the fall of wickets at the other end. But he’s gone on to 73*, doing his best to hold the innings together. One thing I missed in that early flurry of wickets is that Carl Mumba pulled up after bowling just five deliveries of the first over: it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to bat if needed.

Botha is certainly making up for his start to the season here, and he lofts Brown hard, high and extremely handsome over midwicket to move to 77* from just 60 deliveries. Walbrugh’s content to watch the fireworks, helping to bring up the century stand.

Sahil Kothari obliges, trapping Ingram in front as he makes to sweep: he hade 24, adding 59 with Berry. Vikram Chaturvedi’s the new man, and Berry has gone on to 69*. No 300 for Kampong today, by the looks of it. Or for anyone else, for that matter.

Van Wingerden is giving Oberholzer some much-needed support, the latter having gone on to 49*. Burhan Niaz on now for Punjab.

Van Vliet returns to remove Rahaley, who pulls him down the throat of Tom de Leede at deep square leg and departs for 10. Joost Kroesen in to join Naqvi, who’s now on 45* and key to a decent Excelsior total.

Not much to report from the Bermweg, where the stand’s worth 65 but has taken 22 hard-fought overs. Gouge on 37*, Smal on 26*, and one feels the acceleration is going to have to come some time soon.

Hundred up for HBS, and the runs are starting to flow now at De Diepput. Botha has shown the way, and he heaves Venter away over midwicket to go to 45*, then adds another single. Walbrugh on 28*, and HCC also need a wicket.

Fifty for Lane Berry as Hikmatullah Jabarkhail joins the attack: he drops his second short, and Berry pulls him away in front of square for four. This partnership with Ingram is vital for Kampong, and Hermes really need to break it.

Tom de Widt’s run out by Shinwari as VOC’s subsidence continues. Siebe van Wingerden joins Oberholzer, whose lone hand at the other end has now reached 39*.

Another for Charumbira: Van Troost gets to 19, but then he goes after a wideish delivery, edging through to Henry Melville. Naqvi’s now on 40*, joined by Sam Rahaley.

Henrico Venter on from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, and he keeps it tight until Botha picks up his final delivery, lashing it over wide mid-on for four. Oliver White from the other end, Botha dismissing him over midwicket for six. He’s overtaken Walbrugh now, 20* and 19*.

Drinks at the Loopuyt, with Berry on 41* and Ingram just off the mark. This game’s nicely balanced at this stage.

Three for Mubashar Hussain, as he traps Tim de Kok in front for 7. Oberholzer’s still there, joined now by Tom de Widt.

Runs still hard to come by at the Bermweg, but Gouge has moved on to 24* and Smal to 12*. Umar Baker into the attack.

Charumbira into the attack, and he bowls Verhagen with his second delivery. Enter last week’s centurion, Stan van Troost, to join Naqvi.

Brown’s got the big wicket of Barresi, his off stump knocked back by a full delivery. He goes for 25, as Lehan Botha joins Walbrugh.

Kampong have lost another, Van den Berg stumped by Asad Zulfiqar off Numair for 27. And then Lachlan Bangs goes as well, bowled in Numair’s next without scoring. Ingram in to join Berry, who’s on 33*.

Mubashar Hussain celebrates his return to the side by taking a return catch to remove Janett for 22. Jason van der Meulen in to join Oberholzer, who’s on 26*. And as I write that Hussain gets another, Van der Meulen caught by Mohsin Riaz for 4. VOC in proper trouble now.

Steady progress at the Bermweg, Gouge and Smal having added 27 in nine overs. Ahmadi and Snoep have replaced Malik and Scheepers in the attack.

Usman Malik, his left shoulder dropping lower than ever, on from the Pavilion End. Naqvi, who’s started to look the part, cuts him late to third man for four, then lofts him magnificently over extra cover for six. He’s raced to 31* from 16 deliveries, with Verhagen on 18*.

Walbrugh and Barresi set about rebuilding, the latter getting going with six off De Lange, high over square leg, then unleashing a glorious square drive off Overdijk. Josh Brown and Daniel Crowley on for HCC now.

Berry, too, takes the aggressive line, cutting Elenbaas to the point boundary to get off the mark, then in his next over scooping him over backward square and slashing him in front of point for two more boundaries. By the end of the powerplay Kampong look solid.

Oberholzer opts for counter-attack, hitting Tariq for six and Mahmood for four to move briskly to 20*. Janett much morfe watchful at the other end.

Malik strikes again, trapping Scully in front. Enter Johan Smal with his side in trouble again.

And at Westvliet, Luuk Kroesen caught behind by Melville off Mees van Vliet, also for 9. Raynard van Tonder the new man. But three balls later he’s caught by Kirav Kulkarni without scoring. Mayhem everywhere today!

A breakthrough for Hermes as well, as Elenbaas brings one back on Roy and takes the top of his off and middle stumps. He goes for 9, bringing in Lane Berry to join Van den Berg.

No shortage of wickets this morning, as HBS are also in early trouble. Del Bianco is caught behind by Wolfe off Overdijk, and then De Lange gets Mason plum with a full delivery; the batter doesn’t wait for the finger to go up. Barresi in to join Walbrugh.

Even more early drama at the Zomercomplex, where after having been put in, VOC find themselves reeling. Aaliyan Mahmood bowls Pieter Recordon in second over, and Suleiman Tariq takes a return catch to remove Bart Kooistra in the next. Scott Janett and Christiaan Oberholzer together in the middle much earlier than they would have liked.

Ahsan Malik does what he so often does, striking with his fifth delivery. Jack Cassidy is caught by Snoep without scoring, bringing Patrick Gouge in to join Luke Scully.

A surprise at Westvliet, where veteran Usman Malik has been brought in for Floris de Lange. Also, Excelsior are batting. Carl Mumba starts from the Paddock End, bowling to Luuk Kroesen, who drives his fourth delivery gloriously to the cover boundary. A single off the next. Tom de Leede to bowl the second.

In the big game at the Loopuyt Oval, Kampong, too, have decided to bat. They’ve brought in Robert van der Harten, who replaces Ratha Alphonse, while for Hermes Olivier Elenbaas is fit and plays for the first time this season. Roy Numair starts from the Pavilion End, the only score four leg-byes, Ralph Elenbaas from the Railway End, with Alex Roy stepping up to open with Daniel van den Berg.

Floris de Lange starts from the Scoreboard End, bowling to Lucas del Bianco, who’s able to work the fourth delivery off his hip to fine leg for a couple. Then he pushes the last to midwicket for a single to retain the strike. Reece Mason at the other end, but it’s Del Bianco to face Hidde Overdijk.

HBS have also won the toss and elected to bat.

Voorburg have won the toss at Westvliet, we understand, and have also decided to bat first.

At the Bermweg, VRA skipper Johan Smal has called correctly and elected to bat. No team news as yet.

HCC are unsurprisingly unchanged after last week’s remarkable victory, but it looks as if Navjit Singh may be making a return to the colours for HBS, Martijn Scholte making way.