Topklasse Live | Round 6 | As it Happened

And that’s it: Hoseinbaks hits De Villiers gently to De Mey in the covers, and HBS win by 46 runs.

A brilliant catch by Del Bianco, diving low to his left, removes Harhangi as Klein takes the edge. Enter Hoseinbaks.

Harhangi and Jain certainly haven’t given it up, but Klein, back now from the Sportlaan End, isn’t making it easy for them. They need 51 from the final ten, not unthinkable but a big, big ask for a couple of youngsters with only Asief Hoseinbaks to come, And De Villiers still has five overs to bowl.

Back-to-back boundaries by Arnav off Botha bring up the 200, but just when it looks as if they’ve decided to see De Mey off he cuts him into the hands of Boddendijk at point. Roman Harhangi joins Aaditt.

Time for cool heads at Craeyenhout, with 73 needed from 16 overs. But Barresi brings Klein back, and Schoonheim belts his first delivery out to Scholte at long on, and he’s walking before the catch is taken. This brings the Jain brothers together at the crease, but it’s going to be tough for VOC from here.

Another one gone, and the wheels are coming off properly now. Dutch-qualified Van der Meulen, after hitting Boddendijk for six, takes on Amrit Singh and finds De Mey at extra cover, departing with 22 to his name. More jubilant printing from the HBS fielders, and after a drink Jelte Schoonheim will join Jain with 84 needed.

Big moment, as De Kok, on 18, tries to hit Boddendijk over the top and holes out to Mason at deep mid-on. He’s absolutely livid, kicking the air and thumping his bat on the ground, but he has to go, and Arnav Jain’s the new man with the game seemingly swinging the Crows’ way.

Botha returns, restoring some order with a maiden to De Kok, and De Mey profits from it as Schierhout spoons a rather tame catch to Botha at mid-off and departs for 58. De Mey sinks to his knees in relief as the catch is taken. Jason van der Meulen in to join De Kok.

And it’s getting weirder! Schierhout eases Klein through mid-on to go to 44*, and then reaches his fifty with a lofted straight drive which nearly takes out a couple of cyclists heading down the path before landing in the trees. A fielder leaps the fence and promptly commandeers a bike to go in search of the ball. Another ball is supplied, which promptly follows its predecessor. No bike involved this time, but there may well be a little nest of balls lurking in them there woods. And when De Kok gets on strike he adds one of his own. 20 off the over, and VOC are motoring.

What a weird game cricket can be. Jamil smashes the first ball of De Villiers’ next over the footpath and into the trees, and they decide to have a drink while the search party goes off to look for it. It’s a long break, and when play finally resumes Jamil tries to do it again, gets under it, and De Villiers barely has to move before accepting the catch. Jamil goes for a 22-ball 40, and is succeeded by Tim de Kok..

That wicket seems to have galvanised Schierhout into greater aggression, and he’s moved on to 35*. Jamil’s playing his shots as well, especially off Benno Boddendijk, who’s now operating from the Sportlaan End in tandem with De Villiers. He’s raced to 34* off 20, smacking Boddendijk over mid-off and then cutting him behind point. This pair is threatening to take charge.

Botha switches to the Sportlaan End (my praise of Klein’s spell having doomed him to a costly fourth over, apologies), and Bettelheim props his first delivery out on the on side, Botha running quickly across to snaffle the catch. Mussayab Jamil joins Schierhout..

A more than tidy and at times threatening spell from Klein, this, just 7 off his first three overs. Schierhout and Bettelheim are picking up what they can, but the bowling is keeping them fairly quiet. Julian de Mey into the attack now.

Fourie gets away also, a nice controlled shot through cover point for four. But Klein’s final delivery is picked up off his toes, straight to Scholte at deep square leg. There’s a mass sprint of fielders from all parts to share in the congratulations as HBS strike. Taylor Bettelheim in at three.

And we’re back, with Botha starting from the Scoreboard End to Ryan Schierhout. Francois Fourie as usual the non-striker. Mostly right on the money, although when he drops the last one short Schierhout’s onto it, despatching it to the midwicket boundary. Kyle Klein from the Sportlaan End.

Del Bianco gets stuck into Schoonheim in the 49th, every other ball for a boundary, glance fine for four, crouching hook for four more the same direction, then a big six over leg. Aaditt Jain bowls the last, gets a leading edge to spiral into the on side but the chance goes begging, they run two and then, insult to injury, del Bianco sweeps him for four on the final ball. He finishes on a very useful 42* off 26.

Del Bianco’s here to have a crack it seems, cross bat low and all wrist to whip Schoonheim over the square rope for six. Next over Harhangi deprives him of three successive partners however, Scholte clean bolwed playing across the line, de Mey caught behind next ball and then Boddendijk pinned in front three balls later. Harhangi finishes with 4-48 from his ten. Singh last man.

Walbrugh, we now understand, was in fact run out for 97, which may explain his eagerness to get back there. Meanwhile Arnav Jain has another wicket, Kelin clean bowled looking for the big shot across the line. Del Bianco and Scholte in now.

Klein been making the running in this partnership of late, pick0-up six over deep midwicket off Harhangi the pick of the shots in his twenty-something not. Walbrugh’s been rather starved of strike, gets one in the slot from Schoonhein and bags four over midwicket, but next ball he tucks one to leg, wants an improbable second and is duly run out for we guess about 90 or so. Exact numbers hard to come by at the minute.

Klein and Walbrugh see the hosts to drinks without further incident, Walbrugh onto 62* now and looking well set. Hoseinbaks and Harhangi were on before the break, looks like the latter will continue.

But it’s Arnav that finds it this time, two balls after being lofted back over his head and out of the ground by Barresi, Jain gets one to grip, bringing the miscue and the chance for Schoonheim in the deep, who makes no mistake. Kyle Klein in.

Another fine partnership building now as Walbrugh goes to fifty driving Hoseibbaks straight, was that a half-chance at a return catch? Very tough one if so, Hoseinbaks takes the pace off at least. Barresi still there on 30, Aaditt back now looking for the breakthrough..

Harhangi breaks the stand at 55, De Villiers goes after a wide one, bit of extra bounce and ends up cutting uppishly straight to de Kok at point. Barresi in.

De Villiers and Walbrugh have dug in admirably after those two early blows, taking HBS past fifty. Harhangi and Schoonheim replace the Jains.

And another for Aaditt, twice finds a thick edge and then a thin one through to the keeper to do for Mason. De Villiers (we think) in at four.

Lehan Botha and Reese Mason opening for the hosts, the brothers Jain share the new ball. Tidy start from Arnav giving up just one run in the first, then Aaditt strikes first ball as Botha guides a shorter one straight to gully. Walbrugh at three, cashes in last ball as it’s over-pitched and driven for four.

Word arrives from Craeyenhout, where the hosts have won the toss and elected to bat

Four by Klein through extra cover off Floyd finishes it, although nobody seems to believe it until the umpire checks with the scorers and then removes the bails. Hardly surprising after the uncertainty at the end of the VRA innings. Kaplan finishes with 106* from 96, his composure really the difference between the sides, and Voorburg win by 7 wickets.

Klein swings Floyd through the 45 and down to the boundary. The bowler’s not happy, but Klein says something over his shoulder which makes him smile. Eight off the over in all with some sensible nudges, and when Klein hits Shariz to the long on boundary only five more are required.

We’ve seen VRA pull off a remarkable reversal to beat Punjab this season, but it would take something even more miraculous here. Just three singles off Shariz’s over, but that’s all Kaplan and Klein need. Floyd from the City End.

Kaplan cuts Hake for the single that takes him to his century. A little fist-pump, and congratulations from his captain. But then Croes, on 60, swings wildly across the line and is bowled. No more than a consolation wicket, most likely, and it brings Ryan Klein to the crease with 22 required.

Ten overs left, and Voorburg need another 42. Kaplan has moved to 90*, Croes to 50*. They’ve given a batting masterclass today, albeit in conditions perfect for batting.

And then, suddenly, it’s all over. Leonard returns from the Pavilion End, Elenbaas hits him for four but then holes out to Gorlee at long off, departing for a 12-ball 21, and off the next Thapliyal falls to a stunning catch by Charumbira, who runs all the way from long off to long on to cling onto the catch. Four wickets for Pringle, three for Leonard, and HCC win by 34 runs.

Did I speak too soon? Braat smacks Leijer for a six and a four, and then Elenbaas puts Pringle over extra for another six. Double-teapot from the bowler, but he suffers again when Braat belts him over long on for one more. 15 off it. In his next, through, Pringle gets Braat with a yorker, and he goes for a breezy 27-ball 38. Hermes, though, look to have left themselves just too much to do. Especially when Woermeijer is stumped two balls later.

Fletcher returns from Mulder’s End, but on this ground today there’s little help for the bowlers, and you don’t have to hit the ball hard to see it race to the boundary. 11 off the over, and Voorburg cantering now.

Into the endgame now, as Pringle profits from Statham’s first attacking stroke, Wiggins under it at long on. Ralph Elenbaas the new man.

Another one gone, and this time it’s Ostling, who’d started batting with much greater urgency, scooping Crowley to fine leg for four, but who tries it again next ball and falls to a well-judged catch by Leonard. Statham joins Braat, but that’s the wicket HCC needed. Ostling made 76 from 138 deliveries.

Drinks for the last time in the Bos, with Kaplan on 57* and Croes on 27*. Only 99 needed now, 17 overs left, and some serious thinking for Nidamanuru as he looks for a much-needed breakthrough.

Klijnhans tries to hit Crowley over midwicket, but gets under it and finds Wiggins in the deep. He goes for 18, and Braat joins Ostling, now on 63* from 122. It’s been a solid knock, but it’s leaving Hermes with an awful lot to do in the back end.

Kaplan and Croes are picking off the runs in the Bos, Kaplan on 44* now, Croes on 11*. Still a long way to go, but it wouldn’t be the first time both sides made 300-plus on a sunny day in Amstelveen.

No further wicket at the Loopuyt Oval, but Hermes are in serious danger of running out of overs. Still 116 required from 14, with Ostling on 59* and Klijnhans 17*.

All over at Thurlede. Maninder Singh takes the long handle to Ralston, spoiling his figures somewhat, but then Ingram bowls Hoornweg, who makes the fatal mistake of going back on his stumps. 34* for Singh, but Ingram finishes with a career-best six for 17, and Excelsior win by 32 runs.

No such problems in Amstelveen, where Levitt has twice despatched Shariz Ahmad for six to move to 89*. Voorburg have relied on record-breaking partnerships so far this season, and you have to wonder whether this might not be another one. Kaplan on 32*. But as I write this, Levitt presents Hake with his first Topklasse wicket, skying a drive to Shariz at deep point. Noah Croes in at four, with the game back in the balance.

As I was saying . . . Baker cuts at Ingram and is smartly caught by Stan van Troost, and for the second time in as many overs the spinner gets two from two as Ahmadi heaves at his first delivery and is caught by Niels Etman deep in the covers. Ingram has five for 8 as Max Hoornweg joins Singh. Successive double wicket maidens for Ingram.

Dutt decides it’s time for a change of gear, hoisting Pringle over wide long on for six. But two balls later’s he comes down the pitch swinging, and Patel whips the bails off. Hermes have dug a bit of a hole for themselves here, helped by some steady bowling from HCC, and they really need to up the ante as CP Klijnhans joins Ostling, now on a very patient 46*.

Really, you can’t look away for a moment! The first ball of Ingram’s next accounts for Clark, who goes back cutting and edges into the hands of Verhagen at slip. That’s a massive wicket as he goes for 43, and Ingram’s next delivery bowls Martijn Snoep. Was that fifth-wicket stand all in vain? Baker in to join Singh.

Hundred up in the Bos, and when debutant Sharad Hake replaces Nashier from the City End Levitt drives him sweetly to the point boundary. The rest of the over’s tidy enough, but Levitt’s now on 62*, Kaplan 19*, and Voorburg need another 200 from 33 overs.

Leijer strikes, pinning Elenbaas in front for 20. Aryan Dutt to the crease, and that’s the cue for the return of Leonard, who bowled five overs in his opening spell.

And Ingram obliges, as Fraser goes back on his stumps and is bowled for 12. Clark’s on 42* from 50, joined now by Manminder Singh with Sparta exactly halfway to their target. As, indeed, are Excelsior.

Singh and Nashier into the attack for VRA, but Levitt, after a delay while a straggle of hockey players marches behind the sightscreen, goes to 50* with a mighty blow over long on off the latter. It almost seemed that he had taken aim at those pesky hockey players. On current evidence, 307 is well within Voorburg’s reach.

Matters are beginning to get serious for Excelsior, now, and it’s a measure of the Spartan recovery that they’ve caught up with the DLS par score. (RIP Frank Duckworth, who died this week.) Niels Etman now in tandem with Ingram, Clark on 36*, and the home side really, really need a breakthrough.

Teun Leijer on from the Pavilion End, as our trusty photographer Sander Tholen hoves into view at deep fine leg. So you know you’ll get an excellent shot of Leijer’s bowling action when Sander posts his gallery of this game. On the field, meantime, Ostling and Elenbaas are making steady progress, Ostling on 33* now at a strike rate of exactly 50, but that’s OK at this stage. Tim Pringle into the attack from the Railway End.

The attack of wideitis continues at Thurlede – that’s 13 already in 15 overs, already a couple of extra overs gifted to their opponents by the Excelsior bowlers. Ingram on now from the Chalet End, but Clark’s made his way to 30* and Excelsior need to break this partnership quicksmart.

Breakthrough by Fletcher in the Bos: Gigani, on 16, tries to work him to midwicket, misses, and after a little thought the umpire’s finger goes up. Gavin Kaplan in to join Levitt..

Double bowling change in the other game in Schiedam, McInerney on for Leonard and Crowley for Wiggins. Some unnecessary excitement when Ostling pulls Crowley high behind square, Elenbaas comes looking for a single and has to dive back in a cloud of dust. After all that rain, it’s guite encouraging to see that cloud of dust.

Lubbers replaces Blankestijn from the City End, getting some real zip off the Thurlede pitch. He starts with a maiden, and Sparta have reached the end of the powerplay without further damage. Ralston to continue from the Chalet End, on two for 12 from five so far.

Pursuing something north of 300, Levitt and Gigani are understandably intent on giving their side a solid start. But Floyd (for it is he) and Fletcher are giving them few opportunities, even on a VRA outfield which is offering full value for shots today.

Just as the scoreboard was beginning to assume some degree of sanity, though still well short of respectability, aided by rather more wides than Excelsior can afford, Mudford attempts a full-blooded drive at Ralston and is caught by Mitchell at long off. The last of Sparta’s overseas contingent, Cameron Fraser, joins Clark.

Leonard strikes for HCC, Doyle drawn into a tentative push and edging to Patel behind the stumps. He goes for 5, bringing Olivier Elenbaas to the crease.

After some lunchtime negotiation it seems we’re all agreed that Voorburg are chasing 307 to win. As a paid-up member of the scorers’ union I have nothing but sympathy for those trying to keep track of that onslaught by Scully and Nashier. Clayton Floyd starts from the City End for VRA, Levitt and Gigani taking four from his first. Ben Fletcher opens from Mulder’s End.

There’s defending low totals, and then there’s complete mayhem. Ralston bowls a maiden to Mudford, and then Blankestijn produces a cracking yorker, into the base of Martina’s stumps as he tries in vain to jam down on it. Will Clark in at five as Sparta’s reply is in tatters at the moment.

And they’re back at Loopuyt Oval, Andrew Leonard starting from the Railway End to Ashley Ostling, Daniel Doyle as usual at the non-striker’s end. Ostling away after three dots, guiding him down to the third man boundary. That’s all for the over, with Jed Wiggins to bowl the second. As the keen-eyed will have observed, no Hidde Overdijk for HCC today, nor, for that matter, Tonny Staal.

A couple for Mudford to get off the mark. Jens Blankestijn starts from the City End with a brace of wides, but once he finds his line Balwantsingh gets an ugly leading edge and the ball flies to Mitchell at mid-off. 141 looking a lot better now as Shaquille Martina joins Mudford..

And we’re straight into it, as Jason Ralston begins where he left off last week, trapping Sam Ferguson in front with the second delivery of Sparta’s reply. Riley Mudford in to join Prithvi Balwantsingh.

No back-and-forth at the Bos though, unless you mean VCC fielders going back and forth over the rope to fetch the ball. Scully brings up the century partnership pulling Kingma high out to deep midwicket where van Vliet is tall enough to hold the catch but can’t flick it to deep square as he comes around and they run two. A visibly knackered Scully looks almost relieved to be run out coming back for two next ball, but the hitting continues, as does the commendably aggressive running. Nashier dives full length to get back for the second on the final ball to finish unbeaten on 58, VRA post 306 with 79 runs coming in the last five overs. Remarkable.

The back and forth battle at the death continues at Harga, Pringle puts a slot ball from Braat away over the on side for six, but next ball holes out to long on for a 34-ball 42. Dutt’s last goes for 8, should have been nine at least were it not for some utterly gutless running on the final ball, Charumbira turning down a risky two that would have been a simple double given Statham can’t collect the throw clean. Still at least he preserves his average. Of 12. So 245 will be the target and I sincerely hope Hermes get it on the last ball now.

Etman himself last to fall in the end, picks out mid-off off Snoep for a creditable 35 off 50. He looks furious with himself but he’s got his side back into the game again. 142 will be the target.

Scully indeed kicks it off in the next, scooping Levitt over the keeper for four and then planting him over midwicket for six next ball. Things continue much in the same vein, the over goes for 20 in the end and Kingma’s next for 14. Next over he takes van Vliet for six over square leg then pulls him behind backward square for four to bring up his fifty off 55 balls, the last 40 runs coming in just 13. Remarkable death-hitting this.

A very handy 46th over from Aryan Dutt yields two runs and two wickets, Dutt holding a leading edge to dismiss Yash Patel and then taking Crowley’s off-stump two balls later. Pringle’s got them past 200 though and counter-attacks in the next, taking Braat for four and six in a 14-run over. Charumbira with him now, 3 to go.

Another for Ahmadi as van Troost drives to cover, and Etman’s down to his last partner in Jens Blankenstijn. Still 4 overs to go and Etman’s already top-scorer with 32*.

Still waiting for the late push here at the Bos, this pair been going at under 4s for the last five overs. Not much batting behind though so may leave it another over or two. Kingma back, presumably will stay on at the Muder end as he’s got plenty left. Levitt at the other end.

All over at the Zomercomplex meanwhile, Zulfiqar finishes it off with a handsome square drive for four off Sayed. He finishes with an unbeaten 22 to go with his 4 for 10 as Punjab win by 7 wickets.

Down the road at Harga Woermeijer has McInerney caught at deep square just as he was looking to kick on, may help spike the HCC guns somewhat as we head toward the death. Yash Patel joins Pringle.

Etman’s lost another partner as Ahmadi cleans up Schewe with an inswinging yorker, Ralston in the middle with him now. Scratch that Ahmadi’s got Ralston too, similar ball but into the pads, finger springs up and gone. Etman, on 27*, is joined by Rens van Troost.

And something to celebrate for ACC as Sayed does indeed complete the hat-trick, leading edge from Minhas held at backward point and Sayed takes off in celebration. It’s produced a temporary slowdown in the scoring too as Zulfiqar and Gonadal consolidate. Just ten to get now though.

200 up for VRA meanwhile, Nashier brings up the milestone running de Lange through vacant third man for four. Still 13 overs to go though and this the last recognised pair so don’t expect undue acceleration just yet.

The Excelsior tail is proving obstinate again, Etman and Schewe have added for the 7thg wicket now to take the hosts past three figures. Nelson on the board, Snoep back looking for the breakthrough.

Braat gets the breakthrough pinning Kloppenburg in front for 58 with a slower yorker, Pringle joins McInerney who’s into the sixties now.

Musa Ahmad shows no signs of tempering his aggression meanwhile, Arya into the attack and is driven high over long off for six, then slog-swept over backward square for six more two balls later. In the slot from Sayed in the next and it’s slammed over deep square for another, two balls later it’s fuller and faster into leg stump, Musa bowled behind his legs for 34 going for one big shot too many. Handy knock though if you have other things to do today. Less so Shinwari, who nicks off on the drive first ball. Sayed will be on a hat-trick when he comes back. A Zulfiqar at four, Saqib we think.

McInerney goes to fifty stroking Thapliyal out to long on for one, then celebrates two balls later by slog-sweeping over deep square for six. Kloppenburg brings up his own fifty last ball of the same over guiding it behind point for one. Next over reverse-sweeps Dutt for four more and this pair closing in on a century stand as they break for drinks.

And Sparta are into the tail now as Ahmadi has Lubbers caught behind for 26. Schewe in and once again Excelsior look to the lower order to get them something to bowl at. The increasingly handy Etman is on 15 off 17 with three boundaries though so perhaps all hope is not lost…

Voorburg still fighting back hard here at the Bos meanwhile, Kaplan takes Ahmad’s off stump and then three overs later Molenaar gets FLoyd thanks to a great take behind the poles by Croes. Scully and Nashier in now.

They’re back on at the Zomercomplex, Sayed starts with five wides down leg, Ahmad and Minhas opening for the hosts and just another single off the first. Reddy from the other end, and Ahmad looks in a hurry. Drives hard and high over mid off for four, then a thick edge through vacant second slip for four more, then an even thicker edge to the rope through backward point/gully. this won’t take long.

Teun Kloppenburg has looked more comfortable than anyone else since arriving at the crease, moves into the forties guiding Dutt through third for four, then repeats the trick to go level with McInerney on 44*. Spin from both ends now, slow southpaw Ravi Thapliyal into the attack from the other end.

Baker breaks the stand, van Troost holing out to long on for 21 off 50-odd. Niels Etman in.

Molenaar gets the one they wanted, Singh driving away from his body and nicking through for 63. Still a solid platform but VRA have a longer tail than usual today. Floyd in.

The collapse is all but complete at the Zomercomplex, Saqib has four now – Raza LBW and Kopthari miscuing over cover and well caught by tracking back. Sheena holes out to deep midwicket on the slog-sweep to Shafiq, then Sayed runs one down to short third, never takes his eyes off the ball as he jogs off for a nonsense singe utterly selling Kumar up the river in the process. And as I type the final wicket falls, Reddy edging a slow short ball from Shafiq to slip. Relegation can’t come soon enough to be honest.

Fifty for Nidamanuru, and he’s seen exactly as many balls as Singh to get there. Wristy lofted on drive to but Levitt over the long on rope on the third bounce, but holes out at deep square next over off van Vliet. Shariz Ahmad in, van Vliet greets him with a bouncer, called wide, then driven through cover for four..

Braat has Wiggins reaching for a high and wide one, and caught in the gully or thereabouts. Teun Kloppenburg joins McInerney, who’s composed a careful 31*,

Van Troost and Lubbers have arrested the slide for now, they’ve ground out 25-odd runs at barely 2 an over. Hoornweg and Ahmadi for Sparta now.

Singh finally brings up his fifty with his first boundary in 11 overs, he’s been deprived of the strike rather and spent a long time in the forties but gets there in 47 balls nonetheless, lifting van Vliet back over his head for four.

Sheena has dragged ACC past fifty meanwhile, takes Kamal for back-to-back fours first driving straight then forcing a punch through midwicket. Potdar still pinned down at the other end however, just 2 runs off 25 balls. Saqib Zulfiqar into the attack. And as I type he brings Potdar’s vigil to an end, cramped on the cut and nicked behind. Kumar in, and Kumar out, clean bowled first ball. Raza to the crease and sweeps the hat-trick ball hard for four behind square.

Wiggins still trying to spark a fighback at Harga, twice gets enough width from Braat to ease him through the off side behind square for four. Both bats on 25* now, Woermeijer into the attack after drinks.

Hundred up for VRA meanwhile. Singh closing in on a half century and Nidamanuru has started positively too, put his World Cup rut behind him it seems. Ryan Klein on for an over before drinks, bowling offspin of all things. Still quick through the air but getting a wee bit of turn, not a bad over, gets an edge through absent slip even. Perhaps still being careful with the old injury, perhaps a new direction?

Wickets still falling at Thurlede too, Snoep catches Ingram wandering across his stumps, pinned in front of leg by a fuller ball. Lubbers joins van Troost.

ACC in trouble meanwhile. Tariq castles van der Merwe, drawing him forward and wobbling one through the gap. Kamal does for Zaidi soon after drawing the edge with a loopy floating slower ball. Sheena in with Potdar now and blocks out the over.

Another for Ralph Elenbaas as he sends a full ball low through Gorlee into the base of middle, but a couple overs later has cuse to regret bringing Wiggins to the middle as he’s taken for three fours in the the 12th over. Dutt from the other end now.

Kaplan into the attack here and finds a much-needed breakthrough, fourth ball jags back in sharply to pin Smal in front for a run-a-ball 24. That partnership had been threatening to take the game away rather. Nidamanuru in at four to join Singh, who’s on a brisk 37*. And Floris de Lange comes on from the Mulder end.

Meanwhile Excelsior’s top order has abruptly collapsed, Fraser first nicking off Luuk Kroesen before bowling Mitchell through the gate, then Snoep has Verhagen LBW. Ingram and Stan van Troost will look to rebuild.

First down at the Zomercomplex as Ahmed, who had looked to be finding some fluency, chops Tariq into the hands of backward point. Potdar in at three to join van der Merwe, who does not look very fluent.

Singh and Smal have been playing some extremely attractive cricket here at the Bos meanwhile. taking full advantage of a quick outfield. Singh especially has been cutting and driving with authority, though perhaps too exuberantly now as he gives up a sharp chance cutting Kingma uppishly behind backward point, where Stijn de Leede gets two hands to it diving to his right but spills it on the landing.

Comparatively quiet start for HCC today, Banerjee and McInerney opening the batting with no Tonny Staal in the XI today. Tim Pringle is in the side however. Brothers Elenbaas share the new ball for the hosts, Olivier gives up the first boundary dropping short to McInerney and being flat-batted through mid-on, but Ralph strikes for the hosts a few overs later to have Banerjee caught for a tortured 3 off 20. Gorlee at three.

Sparta skipper Snoep opens the bowling and a very tight three over spell from him. Fraser at the other end keeps it tight too, until the fifth over when he strays down leg and is glanced fine for four by Mitchell then driven through the covers for four next ball. Luuk Kroesen still watchful at the other end.

Singh and Rasool opening for VRA here, Kingma takes the new ball. He’s bowling well below full pace but getting it to swing, tight over to Singh first up. Molenaar from the other end, tidy from him too until the last ball is slightly overpitched and driven beautifully through extra cover for four by Singh. Kingma finds reward in the next though, full and shaping in, through Rasool and into leg stump.

Start delayed at Craeyenhout, by a full 24 hours in fact. Seems they’ve quietly rescheduled the match for tomorrow.

Punjab have inserted ACC at the Zomercomplex, Rahil Ahmed and Ben van der Merwe opening, Sulaiman Tariq starts with a maiden.

Hmm, we now hear Hermes in fact elected to bowl first at Harga.

Tom de Leede’s been summoned as cover we understand, he’s en route. Will be with ten men till he gets here though, as the home skipper’s enquiries around the ground as to whether anybody fancies fielding a few overs fall on deaf ears, including those of your humble correspondent. Ahh scratch that, Luke Scully has put his hand up.

Excelsior win the toss at Thurlede and follow the trend, they’ll bat first as well.

Well Voorburg were unchanged, but may be forced to find a replacement here as Laurens Boissevain looks to have turned an ankle during warm-ups, has to be assisted from the field. Seems in good humour but don’t think he’ll be playing.

Hermes win the toss at Harga, and they’ll be batting first too.

And first word from here at the beautiful Bos, where the hosts win the toss and elect to have a bat. VCC unchanged from last week, no Elijah Eales for the hosts. Somebody’s getting a first team cap there, looks like Sharad Hake to make his debut.