Topklasse Live | Round 6 | As it Happened

All over at Hazelaarweg too, van Troost falls with the end in sight to a bit of a silly run out, might have been alright but for a sharp collect and shove at the stumps from Berry. He goes for a crucial 30, and Shankar comes in. Hart’s lost patience though, and puts Hoornweg over the rope next ball.Finishes it off seven balls later flat batting the same bolwer through long off for four and finsihes unbeaten on 62. Excelsior win by 4 wickets.

And they’ve done it! A Snoep boundary through midwicket off Van Luin levels the scores, and then he takes a single off the final ball of the over to settle it. Sparta win by two wickets.

They’re pushing singles, but that’s all they need. Four come from Van Luin’s 47th, but when Visser, trying for a yorker, bowls a leg-side full toss, Kroesen’s able to turn it to the fine leg boundary. That’s a killer blow, but he keeps it tight for the rest of the over, and they need nine off the last two.

Hart down the track to Niaz and puts him over long on for six, then four more in the same diraction later in the over. Hard running nets them eight off Schoonheim’s next. Hosienbaks is treated with more caution, but thus far Hart and van Troost look entirely equal to the task at hand.

20 needed off the last four now, with Snoep giving Kroesen good support. They can’t, can they?

Hart and van Luin doing the proverbial needful for now, asking rate a shade over six as we enter the final powerplayHeggelman still to come, there’s a bit of batting in the shed, but not a lot. ..

It couldn’t last, though, as Visser catches the edge, Peiris takes the catch, and Ahmadi departs for 36. Joost-Martijn Snoep in to join Kroesen..

Van Luin returns from the Pavilion End, and Visser from the other. Makes little difference to Ahmadi, who deposits Van Luin over long on, then cross-bats Visser over long off. Kroesen has moved on to 75*, his highest-ever Topklasse score, with Ahmadi on a 20-ball 36*. This really is quite something, whatever the outcome..

Now Turmaine comes in for the Ahmadi treatment, as he drives him back straight for four, then swivels to deposit the next one over fine leg for six. This would be one of the greatest Houdini acts in Topklasse history if Sparta were to pull it off. They need 54 as the final powerplay begins.

Etman taps a return catch back to Jain.Stan van Troost in to join Hart now and VOC sense blood in the water .

Dutt at last gets his reward: Malik swings across the line, misses, and his off stump is knocked back. Khalid Ahmadi succeeds him, and promptly deposits Dutt onto the bank in front of the pavilion. The geese make a strategic retreat to deepish backward point. Next over Kroesen joins the party, hammering him over midwicket for six as well. Suddenly 229 doesn’t seem so very far off after all. Still less when he drives another in the same direction, this time for four. Dutt finishes with one for 55, his last two overs having spoiled his figures somewhat. 65 needed off 11 overs. It is, of course, the wickets that are the real problem..

Lubbers goes three short of a half-century, and from there the innings rapidly unravels. First points on the board for the crows as HBS win by 159 runs.

Kroesen reaches his second fifty of the season, pushing a single in front of square. Outstanding determination from him. Neither Dutt nor Turmaine has taken a wicket yet, but they have largely prevented boundaries and ensured that the asking rate continues to rise. And the pair of geese which are grazing in the outfield don’t appear to be in danger of their lives.

Big wicket at Hazelaarweg, Ingram across the line at a fuller ball from Hoseinbaks and rather falls over it, into the stumps and gone for 37. Niels Etman at six to join Hart.

They’re back at the Bermweg, Ashir Abid starting from the Pavilion End to Ali Raza, who gets a couple off the first ball. Van Luin gets the first over from the Schollebos End, bowling to Sam Ferguson.

Niaz has Kroesen caught on the drive for 40, a much needed wicket for the hosts, and for the day if we’re to get a close game. Hart joins Ingram, who’s on 26* off 40. Fletcher from the other end.

Dug in short outside off by Hobson and Levitt needs no second invitation, cut hard and high over the point boundary for six to complete his century and the match. He finishes unbeaten on 105 off 105 and Voorburg win by 6 wickets..

Kroesen and Malik continue to hang around, and Turmaine brings Singh on from the Schollebos End. The game’s not really going anywhere at the moment, but at least these batters are determined not to throw their wickets away. Singh has some trouble with his run up, twice overstepping, and that enables Sparta to move into three figures.

After a spurious appeal for a return catch off a bump ball on Levitt the previous over, Reddy pulls off the real thing to dismiss Engelbrecht for 21 in the next. Levitt’s on 99 meanwhile, as he’s joined by Klein with seven needed..

Meanwhile at Hazelaarweg Ingram and Kroesen have taken Exelsior to three figures, VOC with 104 left to defend in 25, Exclesior on top for now.

Doesn’t look like we’re in for a thriller at Craeyenhout either, three quick wickets and Sallands hopes are fading fast. Naqash, Bartholomew and van der Molen are all done for the day, Hashim Khan out there with the captain now.

Wheels coming off for ACC now, Levitt and Engelbrecht plundering bondaries right and centre, suddenly looking flat out there. Your humble correspondent thought he was in the game for a second there as Levitt launched Hans square toward us, but it didn’t stop. Over the clubhouse for six. He’s still got room for a ton, needs another 11.

And it’s all over, a limping Overdijk levels the scores with a four off Bhatti through long off, first ball of the next Riaz puts one wide outside off, too wide and that’s the game.HCC win by 3 wickets .

It’s all about survival at the moment, with Abid and Visser completely in charge. Just a wide in nearly three overs before Kroesen, to the bowler’s disgust, pulls Abid square for four. Then he takes three off Visser, and with 19* he’s already the top-scorer in the innings. Aryan Dutt into the attack

Levitt’s seen enough. Crunches Arya for a straight flat six into the base of the sightscreen, then three balls later pulls him over midwicket into the water. First two balls of Zaidi’s next are driven square, then cut over point, both for four.

Doram’s getting the job done for HCC, Launches Sikander for a straight six down the grouns, then bags four more off Mahmood next over. Settled some nerves with this innings. Probably settled the game too.

Much needed breakthrough at Hazleaarweg as Schoonheim has Verhagen caught behind. That brings Ingram to the crease, which would normally be little cause for celebration but the Excelsior stalwart’s been a little short of form with the bat of late.

Hundred up for Salland meanwhile, Naqash driving the scoring. He’s on 22 off 24 now, Lubbers still with him on 19 off 37. The run rate’s well in hand at the moment but not a whole lot of batting to come.

Kroesen and Latif were just beginning to build a little stand, Latif driving an overpitched delivery through backward point for four, but the next ball is dropped short, Latif can’t resist the pull, gets under it, and Nidamanuru is under it at midwicket. Ahsan Malik in now, but first they take a drink amongst the ruins.

Engelbrecht drives Arya for a straight four to take Voorburg to the half-way point in the chase. Levitt still with him and into the 40s. Crucial partnership this.

And Charumbira gifts them the breakthrough they need, running Mahmood down past third, running hard and turning for a needless second. bafflinf risk to take with so much time left in the game. Doram joins Overdijk, and puts his third ball away for four. HCC need 19, Punjab need three wickets.

After a period of consolidation, runs are beginning to come for Overdijk and Charumbira, as the latter finds the rope for the first time off Mahmood. Punjab in dire need of a wicket here, just not enough runs to play with.

Fifty up for Exclesior, Kroesen and Verhagen still, and they’ve come in quickish time. Hoseinbaks and Niaz now for the hosts.

Kroesen off the mark with a well-timed on drive for four. And then another for Abid, as Tarr, after watching so much chaos at the other end, edges to Van Luin in the gully and departs for 13. This is becoming truly dramatic now, as Mamoon Latif joins Kroesen..

Visser replaces Van Luin at the Schollebos End, and Clark drives his first ball uppishly into the covers, where Rasool snaffles the catch. Hard to believe Sparta are batting on their own (artificial) turf here! Joost Kroesen in at six, with the innings crumbling.

Another down here too, Shariz caught deep midwicket off Hans for 18 and that’ll be drinks. Engelbrecht joins Levitt, who’s on 28* and carrying VCC hopes at this point.

Salland lose two more in quick succession, Raxworthy caught behind off Pote and Ganesan cuaght Klein off his own bowling. Naqash and Lubbers struggle on, but the target’s looking impossibly distant now.

Back-to-back boundaries for Tarr off Van Luin ease the pressure a little, the first rather off the edge through point, the second flicked fine as the bowler gets too straight and full. Otherwise, though, Abid and Van Luin are pretty much in control at this stage.And that control continues as Bukhari, who was having trouble finding his timing, drives at Abid and holes out to Smal at extra cover. Echoes of the Raza dismissal. Will Clark joins Tarr..

HCC lose another as Floydtop-edges a slog sweep off Saqib and is caught by Sikander in the deep. Charumbira in with Overdijk now as HCC limp toward three figures…

Excelsior have also commenced their chase, but lost their skipper, Etman caught behind off Hoornweg for 12. Verhagen joins Luuk Kroesen in the middle.

Van Luin oversteps, then can’t believe it when the free hit ball is called wide; the next free hit ball is despatched by Ferguson through extra cover for four. Another big appeal for caught behind off Abid, and this time Ferguson is gone. Bukhari is at four, with Sparta teetering a little..

Salland have set off in brisk pursuit of a daunting total, but have lost their first, Piyaranga caught of Pote for a run-a-ball 18. Raxworthy joins Ganesan.

Hans into the attack and hits the pad with his fifth ball, sustained appeal and eventually given, Musa gone for 7 is replaced by his brother.

Ferguson and Tarr intent on recovering from that early wicket, but by dint of some solid stroke play they’re keeping the scoreboard moving. Peiris gets momentarily excited when he thinks Tarr might have got an edge to a delivery angling across him, but the umpire’s not having any of it.

HCC making a meal of this chase, Bhatti has Alphonse caught behind and then Saqib pins Kloppenburg LBW next over. Overdijk joins Floyd, who counters next over by driving Bhatti through cover for four, then pulling square for four more..

And Van Luin removes the dangerous Raza, who drives loosely to Smal at mid-off. Big wicket for VRA, but it brings Garnett Tarr to the crease.

They’re back at the Bermweg, Ashir Abid starting from the Pavilion End to Ali Raza, who gets a couple off the first ball. Van Luin gets the first over from the Schollebos End, bowling to Sam Ferguson..

Another for Reddy, Croes feeling for one outside off, through to the gloves and up goes the finger. Croes doesn’t look wild about that decision but he drags himself off. Musa Ahmad at four.

HCC three down now, and it’s Mahmood that gets the big one, Vandiar driving away from his body and dragging on for 12. Kloppenburg joins Alphonse.

And we’re back on at ‘t Loopveld, where Reddy has struck for the hosts, pegging back Gigani’s off stump with the last ball of the fourth. Croes at three to join Levitt, Hobson from the other end.

Hoornweg and Fletcher eke out another few runs for the final wicket, Hoornweg finally falling to Heggleman caught at long on looking to belatedly hit out. 130 runs from about as many balls from VOC’s big three, but not much else to write home about. 217’s generally defensible enough at Hazelaarweg though, game on you’d say.

Signs of frustration from Dutt, as he thinks he might have the boundary which would take him to fifty but it’s restricted to a single to leave him on 49*. Three balls later, though, he turns one to leg to reach that milestone, from just 38 deliveries. Ahmadi bowls the last, Dutt smearing him through mid-off for four, then he’s run out looking for a second which would have brought him back on strike. His 55 came from 40 deliveries and included three fours and two sixes. Eduard Visser in for the last four balls, and has to duck under a wild beamer before clipping the free hit behind square for two. He holes out to Mamoon Latif at deep mid-off from the last, and VRA finish with a pretty competitive total.

They’re back on at the Zomercomplex meanwhile, and Tonny Staal’s miserable season continues as he shanks Shafiq out high on the off side and is caught for a six ball duck. Gorlee joins Alphonse, and the skipper looks to be in a hurry, he’s raced to 15 off 10. Too much of a hurry perhaps as he’s caught and bowled by Saqib Zulfiqar now. Vandiar in.

Celebrating his return from injury in style, Dutt smacks Malik over wide long on for six, 11 in all coming from that 47th over. Balbirnie perishes for the cause, hoicking Ahmadi out to Kroesen on the midwicket boundary. Sachin Peiris joins Dutt.

A third wicket for Lubbers as he bowls de Mey, and Salland succeed in keeping HBS under 300, quite impressive considering Barresi and Walbrugh’s partnership. 294 will be the target. One imagines Lubbers’ sentiments will again be along the lines of ” could have been worse”.

Speaking of damage control, a flurry of wickets at Hazelaarweg has spiked the hosts’ guns. Rens van Troost has Schoonheim Lbw, and then Hart takes de Kok’s middle stump before Ingram has Hoseinbaks plumb first ball. Hoornweg and Fletcher first ball.

Back at Craeyenhout HBS are struggling to run up the score at the death. Del Bianco holes out to leg off Bartholomew for a handy 19 off 14, then Adendorff is run out trying to run one to a fumble behind the stumps. Lubbers then nicks off Kyle Klein, and another run out does for Pote. Salland doing decent damage control here at the death.

Kimgma back and takes Arya’s poles in short order, then Klein again from the other end, and Kuhn’s got to hit out now. Down the track and high up toward long on, where Engelbrecht sets himself on the rope, takes a high catch and almost tumbles over, but not quite. Kuhn’s 54 has got the hosts something to bowl at but VCC will be pretty happy with their work.

And Dutt obliges, lifting Snoep over long on for six. Ten off that, although Snoep has the last word, beating Van Luin all ends up. And eight off Clark’s next, culminating in a rather streaky boundary for Dutt. They all count, though, especially at this stage. Snoep turns to Malik, who has three left. Even he goes for six, the batters really opening up now and running well between the wickets. A very useful half-century stand, but it comes to an end as Snoep, in T20 mode, brings back Ahmadi and he manages to remove Van Luin’s off and leg stumps, leaving the middle one standing. Balbirnie joins Dutt, who’s on 36*.

Kumar’s luck runs out, down the track to Boissevain and driven back to the bowler, who fields well and takes a shy at the stumps, Kumar turns but can’t get back as the direct hit catches him just short. Zaidi joins Kuhn, who goes to fifty running Klein down past third, but gets greedy looking for a third and Zaidi’s not quick enough. Arya in

Snoep returns from the Pavilion End, the result a string of singles (what in the old days Australian scorers used to call a picket fence). The only really violent stroke recently was a slog-swept six by Van Luin which brought an end to Kroesen’ spell and saw a rapid return to seam. Clark back from the Schollebos End, Ahmadi having got his wicket. You’d think we must be getting close to change-of-gears time, with VRA probably needing something in the vicinity of 220 if they’re to feel at all comfortable at the break

Checking in on events at Hazelaarweg and Etman’s picked up two more, Fourie and Niaz both caught behind the wicket. Schoonheim joins de Kok and gets off the mark with a six, in the slot from Etman and flicked high over midwicket.

Kumar reprieved again anbd this time it’s Shariz that can’t hold on to a high return catch. Kuhn’s battling his way toward a fighting half-century at the other end, hasn’t looked entirely confortable either though, having top edged a sweep off Boissevain into his grill a couple of overs ago. he’s on 47* now, Kumar on 14*.

Meanwhile Punjab’s collapse is complete, Floyd and Overdijk cleaning up the tail as the hosts are bundled out for 140, Sikander unbeaten on 26, the best score of the day for the home side.

Ahmadi switches to the Schollebos End, and immediately gets the wicket Sparta needed: shortish, Nidamanuru can’t get on top of his cut shot, and the ball flies to Clark at cover. He goes for 36, and Aryan Dutt’s in at six.

Just as I was digging through partnership stats Ferguson breaks the stand at 222, looks like a slower ball and Barresi sweeps over it, into the pad and good enough for the umpire. He goes for a run-a-ball 115, Adendorff joins Walbrugh, who does not long outlast his parner, caught deep backward square off Naqash for 103 in the next over.Del Bianco in on debut..

Malik back from the Schollebos End as Snoep searches for a fourth wicket, Nidamanuru all watchfulness until he overpitches and he can clip him off his toes for a couple to fine leg. Kroesen’s only gone for singles so far, although Nidamanuru’s not afraid to use his feet to him. It’s a fairly attritional battle at the moment.

Double repreive in 37th, one each. Kuhn walks past one from Boissevain but Croes fumbles the stumping, then Boissevain can’t cling on to a high return catch off Kumar. Could prove costly.

Low full toss from Nasir and Barresi meets it with a straight bat, driven through long off for four to bring up his century off 106 balls. Next over Walbrugh whips Ganesan for back to back fours through the on side to join him on three figures, two balls faster too. That’s the 200 partnership for this pair too.

Malik back from the Schollebos End as Snoep searches for a fourth wicket, Nidamanuru all watchfulness until he overpitches and he can clip him off his toes for a couple to fine leg. Kroesen’s only gone for singles so far, although Nidamanuru’s not afraid to use his feet to him. It’s a fairly attritional battle at the moment.

Double breakthrough at Hazelaarwg as Berry is caught for 61, a high hard leading edge off Heggelman held by Hart in the deep. Edwards had been enjoting himself at the other end, but drives around a straight one from Etman in the next over to fall for a 16-ball 24. De Kok and Fourie in now.

Wegener gone, drives van Vliet hard to mid off last ball of the 33rd, Musa Ahmad palms it up, juggles it and holds on, Kumar in after drinks to join Kuhn, who’s on 24*.

Clark keeps Nidamanuru quiet, his fifth over an excellent maiden. On an if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it policy, Snoep continues with seam, but Nidamanuru hammers him between mid-on and midwicket for four, then opens the face to work him through point for a single. Sparta continue to squeeze in these middle overs, but VRA are building a decent platform. And Snoep decides it’s time for Joost Kroesen’s leg spin.

Wegener brings up the hundred for the hosts lifting Boissevain straight for four, but he and Kuhn have a rebuilding job on their hands.

Punjab’s slide continues, two in a row for Charumbira as Mahmood fences at a wide one and feathers through, then Usman holes out in the deep. Bhatti joins Zulfiqar, who’s on 10.

150 up for HBS meanwhile, Barresi’s accelerated markedly since posting his half-century, he’s passed Walbrugh now, the latter on 67*, the former on 78*

Fifty for Berry pushing Ingram out to long on, Edwards typically (reverse) sweep-happy at the other end, solid platform for the hosts already.

Smal and Nidamanuru content for the most part until Snoep bowls one in the slot and Nidamanuru lofts him back over his head to bring up the hundred. Useful stand this, but VRA will need one of this pair to bat through it they’re to post a really big total. Smal, too, is prepared to opt for the aerial route, smacking Clark through mid-on and into the shrubbery, which doesn’t seem to be particularly inviting to the fielders. The ball-finder emerges nursing what may be nettle stings. Hope they’re getting paid danger money. Meanwhile, Sparta are starting to need another breakthrough fairly urgently. Which they get as Smal, on 34, flashes at Clark and Malik leaps to his left in the gully to take an outstanding catch. Tyler van Luin joins Nidamanuru…

Wickets still falling at the Zomercomplex, Shafiq targets Floyd but mishit high into the off side, and held in the deep. Mehmood to the middle, Charumbira into the attack.

Apologies to O’Dowd. Last time I call him set.Goes back to cut Baker but that’s too full, too close and spinning in, into the woodwork. Gone for 46, Edwards in.

Another for Shariz, but credit to Engelbrecht for that wicket really. Raza on the reverse, not a bad connection but uppish wide of second slip, Engelbrecht has already flung himself full length, sticks out his left hand and that is a great take. Hans in.

Bukhari finishes an excellent ten-over spell with figures of one for 37; he bowled better than that, despite half-a-dozen wides, and repeatedly beat the bat. Snoep takes over from Ahmadi at the Pavilion End, with Will Clark succeeding Bukhari from the Schollebos End. All seam so far, accurate for the most part, demanding proper caution, but not exactly menacing. And anything short goes, as Clark does off the last ball of that over, Smal moving to 27*.

Hundred up for VOC too meanwhile, O’Dowd in with Berry ticking along nicely. Ingram and Rens van Troost operating for Excelsior, but this pair look pertty set..

Walbrugh goes to fifty reversing Ganesan fine for four, Barresi still with him and only four short of fifty himself. Naqash now from the other end.

Shariz again, Hobson rocks back and looks to pull that away square, but it skids on with the arm under the bat and into the pad. Raza in.

Doram into the attack after drinks, and he gets Riaz. Down the track and across the line, doesn’t connect, Alphonse fumbles but ends up dropping it onto the stumps with Riaz still a ways down the track. Shafiq in.

Shariz strikes again after drinks, Potdar half-forward and struck on the pad, draws the finger. Kuhn at four, Ryan Klein back.

A splendid cover drive from Smal when Ahmadi overpitches, and when he drops short in his next over Smal flashes hard, the ball flying over the slips and down to the third man boundary. The ball tunnels into the Schollebos, followed by several fielders. Bukhari also resorts to the short stuff, but Smal pulls him square for another four. There seems to be a theory at work, but if so it’s mistaken so far. And with that they take a drink.

Venter into the attack, bit of a nothing ball short and wide outside off but Minhas tepidly uppercuts, and picks out the man in the deep. Sikander in with Riaz now, who’s on 20*.

Smal quickly off the mark, glancing Ahmadi off his hip for four. Then Bukhari gets one past Singh’s bat, knocking back his off stump. Something makes Singh stand for a long time before he disconsolately turns and leaves. Teja Nidamanuru in at four, and VRA need to rebuild..

Nobody’s picking Shariz it seems, draws Rahil forward and beats the bat, bit of luck as it bounces back off Croes’s leg guard and into the stumps. Counts as a stumping on the scorecard.Hobson at three Potdar on 28*.

Niels Etman into the attack and immediate results, back of a length on leg and Jain pulls straight to midwicket. O’Dowd in with Berry now.

Barresi and Walbrugh have taken the Crows past fifty now after that shaky start, Nasir and Gopinath for Salland.

It’s Ahmadi who gets the breakthrough, Rasool edging and Raza making no mistake this time. He’s on his way for 18, and Johan Smal comes in to join Singh, who’s on 28*..

Potdar meets a marginally overpitched delivery from van Vliet with a textbook straight drive, but they’re getting no help from the outfield, hard run three. Shariz Ahmed comes into the attack from the other end, Potdar and Ahmed happy to milk him for a couple of singles.Levitt replaces van Vliet.

.A half-chance for Bukhari at mid-off off Malik, as Singh slices a lofted drive, but it eludes the hand and they get a couple. The powerplay ends with VRA on 44 without loss, and Snoep promptly turns to Ahmadi from the Pavilion End. Singh produces the shot of the morning so far, a glorious square drive for four, absolutely the stroke of a batter in form. Six off the over. Bukhari continues from the Schollebos End; he catches the edge of Singh’s bat, but Raza can’t grab the half-chance.

Down at Hazelaarweg Jain and O’Dowd are approaching a half-century stand as Excelsior are still looking for the first wicket. Hart and Heggelman still unchanged…

Meanwhile at the Zomercomplex Punjab are three Zulfiqars down. After a bright enough start from Rehmat and Asad took the to 27 without loss, Crowley had the former caught behind on the pull, then a Double strike from Hidde Overdijk in the next over did for Asad and Saqib. Minhas and Riaz looking to rebuild for the hosts.

Fascinating opening passage of play, this: two of the most talented young batters in the country dealing with two of the most experienced and canniest seam bowlers. Malik’s changes of pace and length are a delight to watch, and since cutting down his run Bukhari too relies heavily on variation. But so far the right-left combination of Rasool and Singh has been equal to the challenge, with the latter hitting Malik back over his head for four and Rasool swinging Bukhari away into the undergrowth in front of square, giving rise to another prolonged search. VRA ahead on points as we approach the end of Round One.

Potdar and Ahmed have had a look and are beginning top play some shots. Van Vliet replaces Kingma and Rahil puts him away for four through the covers, Kamal from the other end.

Singh off the mark with a push to midwicket for a single, and then he takes two off an inside edge to Malik. Malik half-beats him next ball as well, and he survives a confident appeal for leg-before; no leg-bye signal, so it must have been an edge that saved him. As so often, Malik’s proving something of a handful. Bukhari gives umpire Van Liemt some exercise with a couple of wides, but otherwise he, too, has Rasool playing and missing. When Malik drops a little short, though, Singh’s on it in a flash, pulling him effortlessly over the midwicket boundary. Not a mistake the bowler makes again, and Singh has to deal with a couple of very good yorkers..

Visée’s return is not a happy one, big top edge off Victor Lubbers is held at the third attempt by Naqash running in from mid off. Steven Lubber’s name on the provisional teamsheet proves a flight of nostalgic fancy incidentally. Walbrugh at three joins Mason, but the latter loses his off stump to Bartolomew in the next over. Barresi in..

Potdar and Rahil Ahmed opening for the hosts, Kingma and Klein sharing the new ball. They’ve strung together three maidens between them to start. Two slips and a gully each, and for good reason, plenty going past the bat .

A big welcome from Tkcricket to umpire Matthew French who, along with Gaynor Sebola at the Hazelaarweg, makes his Topklasse debut today. He’s at the Pavilion End as Ahsan Malik opens to Shirase Rasool, and his first task after calling Play is to give a legside wide. Then Rasool drives into the covers for the first runs off the bat. The rest of the over’s pretty much on the spot, until what should have been the last delivery also deviates down leg; he makes up for it with a very good yorker to finish. Vikram Singh’s at the other end, and he will face Mudassar Bukhari.

Meanwhile at Hazelaarweg VoC have won the toss and will bat first. Pierce Fletcher back in the side for the first time in a long time..

Big news at Craeyenhout is of course the return of the prodigal Toby Visée. While rumour has it that the venerable Steven Lubbers will be turning out for Salland. HBS batting first, not clear if that was their idea.

Sparta win the toss at Bermweg, looks like a bowl first day to them too. Still no Scully for VRA , but Dutt returns in place of Adam Constant.

HCC win the toss at the Zomercomplex and have put the host in to bat.

Here at ‘t Loopveld Voorburg have won the toss and elected to bowl.