Topklasse Live | Round 7 | As it Happened

Pace off the ball makes a difference for a while, but then Wiggins picks up the last of Baker’s over, pulling him wide of mid-on for six. A couple of big heaves from Gorlee off Hoornweg in an effort to finish it, but he gets hold of the third, hard and high towards the dressing rooms, and HCC win by 8 wickets.

Max Hoornweg into the attack in what is really the Hiding to Nothing Zone, Wiggins clipping him comfortably through square leg for four. But he only concedes eight, includes two leg-byes, one of those from a rebound off the stumps. 13 more for the win, as Umar Baker joins the fray.

Scheepers switches to the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, and Wiggins smacks him high over square leg for six. A combination of big hitting and smart running yields 14 from the over, and HCC are coasting now.

Another excellent over from Fraser to complete his spell, although Gorlee swings his final delivery to the fine leg boundary, doesn’t really get hold of it, but they all count. Mudford comes up to the stumps again for Snoep to Gorlee, but the batter cleverly ramps him fine for four. A no ball, and the free hit is despatched by Gorlee into the far distance over midwicket. Just 35 needed now.

A good, tight over from Fraser concedes just three, but HCC are still well ahead of the game. Four for Staal through extra cover off Snoep, and Mudford comes to stand up for the skipper’s seamers. Brilliant move at it turns out, because Staal cuts and Fraser takes the catch behind square. He goes for a 24-ball 39. Jed Wiggins the new man.

Three boundaries for Staal off Fraser’s next, and HCC are on course not only for two crucial points, but also for a significant NRR improvement. Martijn Snoep replaces Scheepers at the Scoreboard End, but McInerney belts him wide of long on for another six. He gets the breakthrough, though, as McInerney tries to repeat the shot, catches an edge, and Mudford’s under it when it descends. Gorlee in at three.

In this situation Staal has licence to play his full range of shots, and after lofting Scheepers over cover for four he hoists him all the way (which is not, after all, very far) over long off for six. McInerney adds another, pulling him hard and high over midwicket. Tries to do it again, miscues, but it lands safely and they get two. 19 off that one.

Bertus has managed to establish that the DLS target is 122, and the livestream now confirms that. HCC have made a good start, with boundaries for both openers.

Anyway, Fraser starts from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End with a wide to McInerney, who opens with Staal. Otherwise dots, until McInerney unleashes a majestic square drive for four. Even stevens at this point. Scheepers from the Scoreboard End.

Frankly, I have no idea what HCC are chasing. The livestream says 162 off 38, but since they’re playing 22 overs now, that doesn’t help much. I wouldn’t object if someone texted me the correct position.

Charumbira switches to the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, and there’s a huuuuge appeal for caught behind against Martina off his first. Umpire Hilhorst shakes his head, much to the chagrin of Charumbira and Patel. Three off the over, and that’s it. There may, one suspects, be a DLS adjustment in the offing.

That was Leonard’s fifth over, so they must be playing 22 at least. Leijer replaces Charumbira from the Scoreboard End, and Martina does the necessary with a single into the covers. Right move, but Mudford can only sky the ball high into the covers, and again it’s Gorlee to take the catch. Ariff Khan, on debut I think, the new man.

Leonard drops one short, Scheepers swats it into the covers, where Gorlee takes the catch. Enter Shaquille Martina, in a very different situation from that he’s previously encountered this season. Get Mudford back on strike should be the plan, one thinks.

Mudford is clearly the batter on whom Sparta’s chances mostly depend, and he lofts Charumbira for six into the Scoreboard corner. The left-handed Scheepers follows suit, over towards the squash courts. Big over for Sparta, and HCC need to stop this as Leonard returns.

Overdijk gets a fifth over, from which Holmes would deduce that they must be playing more than 20 overs. 21? 22? At any event, after one misses everything and goes for four byes Fraser gets under a massive blow and it comes down inside the boundary, into the hands of Charumbira at long off. Juandre Scheepers the new man.

In the T20 Cup Charumbira specialised in a diet of slower balls and yorkers, and that’s what he delivers here. But when he drops one into the slot, Mudford despatches it over square leg for six. 12 from the over, including a leg-bye.

Overdijk continues from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, restricting them to singles until Mudford lofts him over long on for six. Sparta need to get a move on if they’re to set a target they have any hope of defending. Patient Charumbira from the Scoreboard End.

They’re out in the middle, the sun’s shining, and all’s well with the world! Minus a couple of batters, that is. But they finally appear, and we have lift-off. Not sure how many overs Sparta have left, but it’s unlikely to be many. McInerney completes his over, a single apiece for Mudford and Fraser.

We have vision! And the leaf blower’s out, so they’re obviously hoping to restart. Stumps are in, and things are looking less than totally hopeless.

The radar currently suggests that it might stop raining in Den Haag about 17:10. The ground will have taken a lot more rain, but there might be an outside chance of squeezing in a 20-over match if they work really hard, and if there’s real enthusiasm to get a result in a vital game for both sides.

All is explained regarding the mysterious pictures: it seems there’s so much wetness about that they’ve covered the camera. Good move, but I’d be worried about the creepy-crawlies.

Rain again intervenes. They’ll make a final call about whether to keep trying at 17:15, we’re told. The radar, I’m bound to say, is looking pretty ugly.

I say we don’t have pictures, but that’s not strictly true: we have a view of what appears to be a concrete path, with various creepy-crawlies wandering past. I could give you updates on those, but it wouldn;t be the same.

It appears that they’re back at De Diepput, although we have neither pictures nor news of the inevitable further reduction of overs. McInerney and Overdijk bowling, apparently.

When I was a student in Australia more than sixty years ago, there was a story about a prominent student politician (a future Federal cabinet minister, no less) who had been observed at a popular holiday resort wearing two pairs of swimming trunks, one so tight he had to wear something over them, the other so hole-y he had to wear something under them. This is brought to mind – somewhat improbably, I admit – by the sight of the HCC team, having apparently decided that two layers of covers aren’t enough, adding a third at both ends of the pitch. Perhaps they know something the rest of us don’t . . .

Hope has now officially been abandoned at the Loopuyt Oval, along with the match. Come back, Dante Alighieri, all is forgiven!

The fact that hardy TKcricket photographer has unfurled his umbrella tells us that the rain is back, and after a couple moire deliveries the players sprint off the field, the HCC side returning with the covers. It’s also got pretty dark at De Diepput.

Teun Leijer into the attack from the Scoreboard End, and a double change with Hidde Overdijk from the other. And it’s Overdijk who strikes, Ferguson catching a leading edge and Patel dropping back and to his left to take an easy catch. Sparta reeling as Mudford joins Fraser.

Can you have an early lunch at nearly three o’clock? That’s what’s happening at the Loopuyt, apparently, evidence that all hope has not yet been abandoned there.

Sardha goes as well, driving Leonard uppishly to cover point, where Crowley takes a low catch. Cameron Fraser joins Ferguson.

Singh gets into the act, a hefty pull for four off Crowley followed by another three balls later, and then a square cut for four more. Then he tries another pull, they go up for caught behind, the umpire agrees, and Singh has a few heated words with the fielders before departing. Sam Ferguson in at three.

Sardha declares his intent by uppercutting Crowley over backward point for six, taking full advantage of De Diepput’s short square boundaries. But Adam Leonard, operating from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End today, repeatedly beats his bat before he tucks the ball square for a sharp single.

Cricket is happening. Crowley and Leonard open the bowling for the hosts, while Sparta have re-jigged their batting order it seems, Gagandeep Singh and Sandeep Sardha promoted to the top of the order.

Good news from an unexpected quarter though, they’re gunning to get a game on at de Diepput. Sparta to bat at the hosts’ invitation, 38 overs each way, starting any minute now!

Word is we’re in for a long wait at Hermes too, at least another hour reckons out man on the ground.

And the there were two. They’ve thrown in the towel at Thurlede, Match Abandoned

Early lunch at de Diepput, outfield mostly dry now but still concerns about the mat, and threat of more rain inbound too…

Covers back on at Thurlede too.

Another inspection at 12:30 scheduled at de Diepput, perhaps more in hope than expectation.

Singh putting on a bit of a show here. Meets a perfectly decent fourth stump length delivery. from Olivier Elenbaas with a beautiful high-elbowed drive behind cover for four, is reward with a couple of frustration short balls that he puts away over the on side for four and six.

We’re set to go at Thurlede too now, Excelsior win the toss and put ACC in to bat. 12:30 start and 47 overs each way is the plan.

Cricket is happening! Shirase Rasool and Vikram Singh opening the batting, the brothers Elenbaas share the new ball. Tidy from Olivier first up, just the single off it, but Ralph’s not found his line yet it seems, couple of wides down leg and then glanced fine for four by Singh.

We have a toss! Hermes and VRA look set to get us started in about 25 minutes’ time. Hermes win the toss and elect to bowl.

Inspection at 11:30 is the plan, though there’s little expectation of any play before mid-afternoon.

Still damp at Harga too, inspection at 11am we’re told.

No action at Thurlede either for now, unlikely to start before noon we hear.

Toss delayed at de Diepput as we wait for the outfield to dry. And yes that does in fact come pre-printed on the HCC home-game update template.

Lubbers with the penultimate over, and after a couple of singles Klijnhans smacks him over long off for six. Once again another ball is required, and after some faffing about Lubbers delivers an impeccable response, full and straight. It’s only a remporary reprieve, though, because the next disappears as well, straighter this time, but absolutely decisive. Klijnhans ends on 45*, and Hermes win by four wickets.

Ingram from the Pavilion End as Verhagen goes for broke, and a brace of twos for Klijnhans, the second thanks to a little misfield, it seems, followed by a single, give Hermes the five they need. But Elenbaas wants more, tries to hit back over his head, and succeeds only in giving Ingram a return catch. Enter Nick Statham, who has doubtless Been Here Before.

Four for Braat this time, driven through mid-on. He’s doing exactly what his team needs here . . . but then he drives again, and this time Verhagen snaffles the catch. Ralph Elenbaas in with 15 needed. Off three.

Braat relieves the pressure, considerably, lofting Lubbers over long off for six. 21 required from four, and after a long conference Ralston is back from the Railway End to bowl his final over.

And suddenly it all changes! Ostling plays Hampton towards cover point, they try to hustle a second, and when Van Troost gathers the return from Niels Etman and whips the bails off, he beat’s Ostling’s dive. The opener goes for 47, and as Braat joins Klijnhans Excelsior are back in with a chance.

Lubbers back on as we go into the final, seven-over powerplay. 37 still needed. With some intelligent batting and sharp running between the wickets, Ostling and Klijnhans have been picking off the runs without taking too many risks. Hermes in the box seat now, as six come from Lubbers’ over.

With wickets in mind Verhagen brings back Ralston from the Pavilion End, but although he’s on the spot there’s no immediate joy for Excelsior. 49 needed off the last ten overs. This, one feels, is going to the wire, as all good derbies should. Hampton back from the Railway End.

All over at Het Loopveld: Kaplan has Kothari caught by Floris de Lange for 19, and then does for Reddy as well, caught by Tom de Leede without scoring. Voorburg win by 62 runs.

Kroesens from both ends now, wrist-spinner Luuk partnering seamer Gijs. But the difference from last week for Hermes is that this time they started the chase needing under four an over, and they can do it here pushing singles and waiting for the occasional boundary. Excelsior need to keep taking wickets.

Khan’s run out for 5, and Voorburg are two wickets away from another win. Arya in at ten.

Could ACC make a game of this? Sayed seems to think so, hitting Floris de Lange for 4-6-4, but when Kaplan returns he gets him caught behind for 44, and Voorburg have the one they needed. Momen Khan joins Kothari, who’s on 16*.

Gijs Kroesen into the attack for Excelsior, and he gets the very valuable wicket of Dutt, who doesn’t get on top of a cover drive and is caught by Verhagen for 18. Ostling’s on 24* from 61 in another patient knock, joined now by CP Klijnhans.

A rally by Sayed and Kothari holds up Voorburg’s progress, and the hundred comes up with a boundary by the latter off Alejo Nota. But ACC are going to need a lot more of those with 97 required off the last ten.

Even the mishits aren’t going to hand, and with Walbrugh on a 48-ball 62* it’s Klein who strikes Manminder Singh to the long on boundary for the winning runs. He finishes on 37* at a run a ball, and HBS win by seven wickets.

Tom Hoornweg into the attack for Sparta at Craeyenhout, Walbrugh lashing his first delivery into the stumps at the non-striker’s end and they amble a single. I shouldn’t say so, but he looks in frighteningly good touch. Just singles off the over, but HBS are in complete control at the moment. 24 required off 21 overs.

Hampton replaces Ralston from the Pavilion End, so there’s little relief for Hermes as they pursue their relatively modest target. Runs, though, are at a premium at the Loopuyt Oval today.

We’re guaranteed a result at Het Loopveld as well, and with Floris de Lange having removed Hans, caught behind for 5, there’s not too much doubt about what it will be. Kothari in to join Sayed.

Another fifty for Walbrugh, brought up with a meaty pull through midwicket off Baker but then the off-spinner removes De Villiers, hitting across the line, playing on, and departing for 29. Kyle Klein in to join Walbrugh, now on 56*.

Ralston has a big appeal for LBW against Elenbaas turned down – probably both going down and a bit high – but two balls later he has him plumb and the batter, deep in conversation with his partner as he passes, has to trudge off. It almost looked as if they were discussing a possible DRS challenge. Dutt in at four.

A vintage display from Vandiar, who smashes Leijer for two more sixes to move to 56*, and although the youngster picks up the consolation wicket of Gondal, Sikander Zulfiqar slog-sweeps Kloppenburg for another to finish it off, Punjab winning by six wickets.

Three for Van Vliet, with Zaidi caught by Levitt, also for 1. Sayed and Hans together now, with ACC seemingly on the slide.

Baker into the attack from the Scoreboard End, greeted by a firm cut to the backward point boundary by De Villiers, followed by a carbon-copy of the shot. The Crows certainly aren’t hanging about here.

Ralston does what Ralston does, bowling fast and straight at Doyle and getting the ball past the driving bat into the stumps. Olivier Elenbaas joins Ostling.

Kloppenburg into the attack, and back-to-back sixes by Vandiar bring Punjab substantially closer to their target. With 20 gone, we are at least guaranteed a result at ‘t Zomercomplex.

Sheena caught by Kaplan off Molenaar for 1, and with Zaidi joining Raza ACC are in trouble again. And even more when Van Vliet bowls the skipper for 27.

Botha goes to fifty with a boundary off Fraser, but in Scheepers’ next over he cuts in the air and is caught by Ferguson, dropping his bat in disgust as he plays the shot. De Villiers in to join Walbrugh.

A steady start by Ostling and Doyle against Lubbers and Ralston in Sunny Schiedam.

Now it IS a second for Overdijk, as Saqib as caught by Cowley without scoring. But at the other end Vandiar has clipped Leijer in front of squarfe for four, and then pulled him hard in the same direction for six.

Potdar and Raza were going along promisingly despite the size of the task, but now Van Vliet’s had Potdar caught by Klein for 19, bringing Sheena in to join his captain.

Musa Ahmad falls to a brilliant one-handed catch by Kloppenburg at point off McInerney, reaching high overhead to grab a full-blooded if uppish cut. Saqib Zulfiqar joins Vandiar.

HBS motoring as well, Botha having raced to 42* and Walbrugh on 19*.

Overdijk gets the breakthrough at ‘t Zomercomplex, Minhas down the wicket, changes his shot, and is caught by Crowley at point for 42. Vandiar in at three with Punjab almost halfway to their target.

146 it is, and Victor Lubbers starts with a maiden to Ash Ostling. Ralston from the Pavilion End.

Back on at Craeyenhout, where Fraser takes Mason’s off stump in the fourth Walbrugh joins Botha, who is going hard. Takes Fraser for 12 in the 5th, the last a jumping uppercut for six over third..

They’re back on at ‘t Loopveld, and one down already as Ben van der Merwe’s nightmare season continues, caught off Molenaar for a two-ball duck. Raza joins Potdar, Tom de Leede from the other end.

Punjab and HCC take the torch as the only live game now, Punjab resume their chase. Musa Ahmad takes them to fifty clubbing Wiggins through midwicket for four, and four more three balls later edging high and hard over backward point. Overdijk from the other end.

191 in 43 will be the target for HBS we gather.

Yep that’s the end of the Excelsior innings, DLS will add a handful, 146 the tentative unofficial target.

VCC have been out for a quick slog in the 3.4 overs the weather allowed them, and put on another 36 runs at the cost of three wickets, hope to have word on a DLS target for ACC shortly…

Punjab got as far as 45 without loss before the rain came back. Covers are off again but no sign of imminent play.

They’re back on at Craeyenhout meanwhile. Will have lost some overs but not sure how many yet. Not killed the innings though. Singh goes quickly after the resumption as Botha is rewarded for a rank full toss with a wicket, caught Klein in the deep onside. Baker and Snoep have put up some resistance since thoug, adding another 26 before Baker holes out off Stephan Vink. Hoornweg lasts three balls before being caught off Bodendijk. 197 the total, not sure how many overs HBS will have or what DLS will do to that…

Van Troost goes aiming a big pull at a short one from Olivier Elenbaas, big top edge and Statham jogs across to pouch. Lubbbers in, and brings the rain with him. Covers on and you have to guess that’s the end of the innings.

Or maybe not. Usually reliable sources inform us that in the Amsterdamse Bos the match has been abandoned.

Hampton takes the long handle to Braat, smiting him mightily over cow for six. Twice, the second a little straighter and quite a long way further, far enough to require another ball. Then he cuts him for four, and 18 come from the over, including a leg-bye.

They’ve taken lunch in the Bos, and there are signs of activity out in the middle. No hint of the covers coming off as yet, but at least they’ve produced the waterhog. So maybe . . .

They’re back on at the Zomercomplex, Crowley bowling the opening over to Minhas and Musa Ahmad. Leonard to bowl the second, from the Equestrian Centre End.

Braat and Olivier Elenbaas, backed up by good fielding, are keeping it tight, and Excelsior haven’t been able to hit the accelerator pedal yet. They’ll do well to get to 150 from here.

Cue the sea shanty of your choice . . .

Mitchell goes, struck on the pad coming forward to Dutt and given leg-before. He’d turned his back on the umpire, and was visibly surprised when it was given. But it makes no difference – he’s out for 38, and that’s a big blow for Excelsior as they enter the final ten overs. Stan van Troost in at six.

They’d taken the covers off at Craeyenhout, but then another sharp shower sweeps across the ground, and the players race to get them back on again.

Dutt returns in place of Braat, and he gets the vital wicket of Ingram! The left-hander pushes forward, the ball takes the edge, and Braat takes another fine catch at slip. Brett Hampton, making a visit to Schiedam, joins Mitchell, pushing his way into the teeth of the gale.

So the only action at the moment is in Schiedam, where Mitchell has moved on to 30*. Ekrami into the attack from the Railway End now, in tandem with Braat.

Spirited resistance from Leonard and Leijer, adding 31 for the last wicket before Mubashar bowls Leonard and the innings comes to an end. Four for 39 for Saqib, again the principal wicket-taker for Punjab.

Driven by a near-gale force wind, the rain has reached Het Loopveld, and the ACC side struggle manfully to get the covers on. It’s one of those days. No sooner do they get things settled, but a gust blows the covers and the weights holding it down halfway to the pavilion. Nightmare!

Another one goes at the Zomercomplex, and it’s another for Saqib as Crowley, having played him through backward point for four, pulls his next delivery hard, high but not particularly handsome to Mubashar Hussain at deep backward square and departs for 20. Teun Leijer the last man.

Fortunately, the only liquids involved at the Loopuyt Oval are the drinks, Excelsior having meanwhile lost skipper Verhagen, caught and bowled by his opposite number Braat for 21. Mitchell’s still there on 27*, joined now by Lorenzo Ingram..

Momen Khan, whom I remember as a promising 12-year-old at Qui Vive, returns from the Uilenstede End, and Kaplan pulls him straight into the hands of Sayed at square leg. ‘Proper commentator’s curse,’ texts my esteemed colleague, as Kaplan goes for 64. Nirav Kulkarni joins Molenaar.

Six overs in, Vikram Singh takes the ball himself, and removes Jamil with his first delivery – another great slip catch, this time scooped off his toes by Clayton Floyd. Bettelheim in at three, but after one more ball they’re off for another shower.

Two in an over for Sayed, who first has Ryan Klein brilliantly caught by Sheena for 5, the fielder diving high and wide to his right to take the ball one-handed, and then two balls later uproots Tom de Leede’s middle stump with a cracking yorker. It’s all down to Kaplan, Molenaar and the tail now.

A third for Saqib as Charumbira pushes forward and edges low to slip. Leonard in.

And Kothari has another here, Croes goes for a brisk 28 getting what looked like a bottom edge through to the keeper on the cut. Klein in. Kaplan still there on 55*

Collapse is on at the Zomercomplex meanwhile as Wiggins rocks back to cut Saqib but can only edge through to the gloves. Overdijk in and next over Saqib floats one further up, all the way up in fact and yorks him. Next over Sikander has Banerjee LBW and HCC are on the ropes. Crowley and Charumbira in.

Mitchell and Verhagen have steadied things at Harga meanwhile, though it’s been a circumspect powerplay. First bowling change as Numair replaces Olivier Elenbaas.

Five minutes (and three hours) late, but we have real honest-to-goodness cricket at the Bos. Mussayab Jamil opening with Schierhout, Ben Fletcher takes the new ball. Just one off his first. Eales from the other end, four dots then a couple off the toes through backward square, then a hard run three the same way.

Sparta’s innings unravelling now after that fine start. Ambrose falls to de Mey picking out deep point, then Botha sends a slower ball through Bashir into leg stump. Singh and Baker in as the rain suddenly returns in force, several overs later than Sparta might have liked.

Hundred up for Voorburg meanwhile, Croes takes them past the milestone pulling Sheena’s fourth ball – a gimme drag-down – for four, then cuts then next for four more.

Saqib Zulfiqar into the attack and Kloppenburg launches his first ball over deep midwicket for the first six of the match. He’s onto 19* at a run a ball, Wiggins with two more runs at half that rate. But that’s as far as Kloppenburg will get for as I type he aims a hefty pull at Sikander Zulfiqar and a big top edge is held behind point. Banerjee in.

The treat of some actual cricket looms over the Bos. Potentially as much as 72 overs of it in fact. VOC win the toss and will bat first, 2pm start, 36 overs apiece.

Big wicket at Craeyenhout meanwhile as Mudwford charges de Mey, miscues high into the on side toward Boddendijk, some tense moments for all as it hangs in the air an age, but safely pouched and gone for just 4. Ambrose joins Bashir.

Kothari into the attack now with immediate effect, coming round the wicket and pushing it across de Lange, who looks to guide it through third but instead gets a feather edge through. Doesn’t wait for the finger. Gone for 29. Captain Croes to the crease.

And we’re away! The brothers Elenbaas share the new ball for the hosts as usual, Mitchell and Tim Etman opening the batting. And it’s first blood to Hermes as Etman leaves Ralph Elenbaas’s first ball on a length and it passes a hair’s breadth from the top of off, learns nothing from the experience and leaves the next one too, which neatly removes the bail. Verhagen in.

Kamal gets Gorlee, bit back of a length and he tries to force it over midwicket on the back foot off the top of the pads but can’t clear the man. Teun Kloppenburg in

Kaplan and de Lange still going well here, the lush outfield holding them in check as much as anything as a lovely late dab from the latter rolls to a stop well inside the rope. Mahesh Hans into the attack.

One brings two again as de Villiers has Scheepers caught behind for 33. Bashir in with Mudford now.

And another inspection at 13:45 in the hopes of a 2pm start, probably about 15 overs off each way by then.

Martina’s vigil comes to an end at Craeyenhout as he’s pinned in front by de Mey for a 66-ball 38. He’s played a fine foil for the quicker-scoring Fraser and Scheepers though, and Sparta have a decent platform here. Mudford at five is just the man to take advantage...

Another for Shafiq as Staal miscues a big heave and holes out to Zulfiqar at deep extra. Wiggins in with Gorlee now and taking his time to have a look. First bowling change now as Kamal replaces Shafiq.

Zaidi into the attack and Kaplan drives him over cover for four. Reddy gets the same treatment when he comes on at the other end. De Lange still seems to be feeling his way into the innings at the other end, but Kaplan’s start is taking the pressure off his young partner.

Great news! The Schiedam Derby is on! Excelsior win the toss and will bat first, 40-overs each way.

Shafiq with the first breakthrough for Punjab, McInerney steps back and away to leg trying to force the shot through the off side and nicks it straight to first slip. Gorlee in, takes is first boundary punching a shorter ball from Tariq over midwicket for four.

Meanwhile Martina and Scheepers have stilled nerves after those two quick wickets, They’ve added 36 for the 3rd wicket to take Sprarta past the hundred-mark. De Villiers and Boddendijk bowling for the hosts at the minute.

Next inspection at 13:15.

First down here, and it’s a biggie. Levitt trying to work a full ball from Sayed into the on side, well caught low by Zaidi diving to his left at shortish midwicket. Kaplan at three.

News from Loopuyt, inspection at 13:00 with a view to starting half an hour later. Likely 39 each way in that case.

It is indeed HCC batting first, no word on whether they’ve lost overs but you’d assume there’d be a few off. McInerney and Staal opening and each with a boundary to their names, the former driving Tariq through long off and the latter with a thick edge over backward point. Shafiq shares the new ball.

They’re gonna have an inspection in about 15 minutes, but nobody’s terribly optimistic. Run-up still soggy, early lunch looking likely.

Levitt’s taken Khan for a couple of lofted fours with the wind but little else to report here. Lots of dots.

Still waiting at Hermes, damp patches on a run-up the issue there too we gather. Umpires will have another look but people already talking about an early lunch.

Three ball duck for Fraser, who’s caught by Walbrugh at square leg off Boddendijk. Scheepers in.

Signs of life at the Zomercomplex. Looks like Punjab will be batting but no idea whose idea that was. And as I type, I’m told I’m wrong. HCC won the toss and elect to bat. Odd they’re doing bowling/fielding drills then.

Covers off at VRA of course and they couldn’t ask for better drying weather. Sun’s out and blowing hard. If they can’t get it dry in this weather…

Martina getting in on the act now, standing tall to cut Botha hard behind point to the rope. Ferguson still going, takes Klein for four more over mid off but then maybe gets carried away, tries to repeat the shot next ball but doesn’t get it out of the middle and falls to Botha in the deep. He goes for forty, Fraser in. Still, Sparta will be pretty happy with this start.

The sun is here! Levitt and de Lange open for VCC, Sayed to start things off for the hosts, bowling with an absolute gale at his back of a sudden. Levitt off the mark with a push to mid off, then last ball de Lange pushes at one outside off, through to the keeper and ACC go up in unison, sustained appeal but the umpire never looked remotely interested. Khan from the other end.

Ferguson looks to be enjoying himself, full face for a classic straight drive back past Botha for four, then the next a little fuller, lofted on the straight side of long on for four more. Pulls his length back and blocked to off, then strays too full and again and is put over the sight screen. Kyle Klein on from the other end.

More prodding of the run-ups at the Zomercomplex. No official word but looks like the waiting game is the only one being played down there for now.

It’s raining again. Covers on. And it’s stopped. Covers off? Not quite yet. Blue sky has been sighted on the horizon though.

Plenty of intent from Ferguson here, first boundary comes edging Boptha over slip for four, the next more assured, in the slot from Vink and driven high and handsome over long off. Martina watchful at the other end for now.

Last of the rain (we hope) has moved off now, covers coming off.

Further delay at Hermes, gonna take another look at noon we hear.

Too presumptuous of me I guess, that looks like an inspection happening. Couple of umpires staring intently at a patch of run-up. Not a promising look.

And we have cricket! Martina and Ferguson opening for Sparta, Botha starts for HBS. Tidy enough, single off the first ball and a leg bye of the fourth. Ferdi Vink to share the new ball.

There’s been a toss at the Zomercomplex too presumably. Cover’s are off and stumps are in, but that’s as much as we know. Do get in touch if you have any actionable intelligence from south of the river.

Had a toss at ACC too, the hosts won and will bowl first, but now it’s drizzling again. Covers were on pretty quick though so hope to get on pretty quick if and when it stops.

We’ve had a toss at Craeyenhout though, HBS win it and invite Sparta to bat first. 11:25 start.

Vikram Singh will be captaining VRA today when and if they get on, Teja Nidamanuru out for the rest of the season we hear, done something horrible to his left wrist sweeping in the nets we’re told. Jack Balbirnie also back for the hosts.

Delayed start at het Loopuyt too, inspection at 11.

Raining at Craeyenhout we here, which brings the reliability of my radar into question…

Rain’s cleared at ‘t Loopveld, hopefully a timely start.

Damp patches is the word at VRA again. A slight tear in the covers has worsened a general sogginess specifically on one of the run-ups. Groundstaff planning to park a mower over it in the hopes of sucking up some moisture but can’t get it started. Could be a long wait.