Topklasse Live | Round 7 | As it Happened

Make that Martijn Snoep in with him now as Singh goes LBW missing a cross-batted slash at Edward. Oh wait make that Johne Jacob in with him now as Snoep is caught behind hanging the bat outside off two balls later. Oh wait never mind it’s done. Last man Jacob goes LBW too, Edwards bags three in five balls to finish with 5-11 in 4.5, Scheepers left unbeaten on 54* as as Excelsior win by 53 runs.

So that rush of results leaves events at Thurlede, such as they are, as the day’s last going concern. Six overs remain and an improbable 54 runs to get for Scheepers and the tail. He’s lost Baker in the meantime, but has got his fifty, which he brought up slamming a rank full toss from Rahaley over midwicket for six. Manminder Singh with him now.

And they’re done at Hazelaarweg too, Jain the last man to fall as he’s caught behind for 22, White claiming his fourth wicket to finish with 4-27 and two catches to boot as HCC win by 24 runs.

All over at Utrecht as well, and 63* for Jacod too as he finishes things off sweeping a full toss from Rossouw behind square for four. A comfortable enough victory for the hosts in the end, six overs unused as Kampong win by 4 wickets.

Riaz looks set on taking Punjab home now, puts a drag-down from Dutt away for six over midwicket, slog-sweeps Jabakhail for six more in the next. And two balls later it’s all over. Missed another slog sweep in between, but connects with the last and he’s got his gloves off to shake hands before it even lands. He finishes unbeaten on 63*, having broken Hermes’ streak as Punjab win by 4 wickets.

Tail collapsing around Aaditt Jain meanwhile, as de Widt and van Wingerden fall to white without scoing. Harhangi last man, 30 needed off the last five and Jain would have to get most of them you’d think. Overdijk back.

Sparta stumbling now as the asking rate begins to tell, miscued pull off Edward sees Booer caught for a run-a-ball 32, two balls later Khalid Ahmadi’s gone too caught off a leading edge going for a big shot to cow. Baker joins Scheepers, who’s into the 40s.

Late breakthrough at the Zomercomplex meanwhile as Riaz punches Braat through cover, hesitates going for the second but Niaz is committed, Braat collects an errant throw and underarms into the stumps. Shinwari in.

Jacod lifts Klein over midwicket for four, then pulls behind square for one to bring up his fifty off 48 balls. Edwards looks to follow suit a couple of overs later glancing de Mey fine, but but del Bianco anticipates and is across to collect. Edwards goes for 49, Roy in at 8 with 17 to get.

Conversely at Hazelaarweg the hosts are under the pump as Brown claims to wickets in two overs, first removing skipper Tim de Kok for 26 and then the veteran Jelte Schoonheim for a 6-ball duck. 40 to get, 8 overs to get them as de Widt joins Jain.

Similar story at Thurlede where Boorer and Scheepers are still together in the middle, though the asking rate is well up over a run-a-ball with 91 needed from 14.

Over at the ‘plex Riaz and Niaz have supplied a Wobble-Be-Gone™ half-century partnership too. Braat also turns to seam as he throws the ball to Ralph Elenbaas. No joy yet. Punjab looking well on track again.

Edwards and Jacod have raced to a half-century partnership meanwhile, playing with an urgency not entirely warranted by the scoreboard. Jacod does handle Barresi more sensibly than the top order did though, respectfully milking him for ones and twos. Ship steadied, innings de-wobbled. Klein back to try to destabilise and/or punch a hole below the waterline.

Big moment at Hazelaarweg as van der Meulen, having lofted Floyd over midwicket for a pose-holding six, is undone trying to repeat the shot next ball – caught in the deep for 71 off. Young Aaditt Jain in to join his skipper, and looks to reverse the momentum yet again, backing away to stroke Floyd through the off side for four. Game very much on.

Hundred up for Punjab too meanwhile, they’ll need to kick on now though with 85 to get off the last 15. Niaz has understood the brief it seems as he steps back to slog his Belgium team-mate over deep square for six.

Naqvi back, and Scheepers brings up the hundred for Sparta cutting behind point, but loses his partner next ball Malik as loses his off stump. He goes for a creditable but likely insufficient 33. Boorer in.

Van der Meulen seems to have his eye in at Hazelaarweg now though, goes past fifty with back-to-back fours through midwicket off Crowley. TdK still there on 15*. Teun Leijer from the other end.

Edwards improvising now, jumps across his stumps as Botha runs in, seems to throw the bowler and a hip-high full toss is launched for six over square. Kampong still batting as if they’re short on overs rather than wickets. De Mey into the attack.

Another in form leggie into the attack at the Zomercomplex in the form of Jabarkhail, and he strikes early too as Saqib steps back and pulls into the hands of Kothari at backward square. Niaz joins Riaz.

Joost Kroesen’s fine season with the ball continues as he removes Sparta’s linchpin, Klesse playing across the line and missing, looks surprised to see the finger go up but doesn’t waste too much time in walking. Scheepers joins Malik, who’s rather looked the part of a number three so far but has a lot of work left to do now. He’s on 25* now, Etman still from the other end.

And Bangs out. Caught mid on trying to pull Botha over midwicket. Remarkable lack of application from the home top order so far. Jacod joins Edwards in the middle.

VOC wobbling too as Jain is stumped off White trying to fetch a wide one from outside off and overbalancing on the swish. Captain to the crease and one feels Tim de Kok will have to face a fair few balls if his team are to pick up points here.

Another for Wesley Barresi meanwhile, as he continues to profit from the total contempt in which Kampong’s bats apparently hold his bowling. Ingram the latest to perish looking to put Barresi out of the park, aiming to gohigh and straight, bat turns in his hands and he ends up supplying Boddendijk a simple catch on the circle. Bangs in.

Punjab lose another as Minhas looks to glance Braat behind, plays around it and is struck on the pad. Raging celebrappeal from Braat as he punches the air in elation before stealing a look over his shoulder at the umpire, who duly lifts the finger. Musa Ahmad in, and his miserable season with the bat continues as he’s done by Kothari next over. Saqib Zulfiqar joins Riaz, as Dutt takes over from Braat.

Van der Meulen and Oberholzer bring up a half-century stand but right after Brown nips one back into Oberholzer, through the gate and into middle to break the partnership. No worries about the rate, but wickets already a concern given the form of VOC’s middle order and long tail. Arnav Jain at five.

Naqvi into the attack and strikes with his thrid delivery, bit of extra bounce and finds a leading edge, holds a simple return catch to remove Steenbergen for 17. Klesse joins Malik in the middle, and a double change as Niels Etman comes on from the other end.

Wickets at Utrecht meanwhile as Berry and van den Berg perish in successive Barresi overs, Berry caught deep on the leg side slogging across the line, van den Berg miscuing behind point. Edwards and Ingram in now to steady the ship…

Pace had just begun to pick up at the Zomercomplex, Braat brings Kothari into the attack and he delivers with his first ball. Zulfiqar’s well across on the sweep, misses and into the pad. Finger’s in the air by the time he looks up. Riaz at four, Braat himself from the other end.

Ralston’s been building up a head of steam at Thurlede meanwhile, and lets rip in the 7th unleashing a sharp rising bumper that’s too quick for Ferguson, glove or bat presumably as he’s rushed on the pull, Verhagen collects and he doesn’t wait for the finger. Ahsan Malik, promoted to three today, joins Steenbergen.

Van der Meulen and Oberholzer pursuing a similar strategy at Hazelaarweg, but there’s been fewer bad balls on offer. Brown has taken over from Overdijk and has been cut once for four, and Floyd strayed too full a while back and got punished, but the last few overs have been tight, just one run off each of the last four. Ah well so much for that, Floyd goes too full again and vd Meulen puts him away over extra. And again. Costly over there just before drinks.

Berry and vd Berg waiting on inviting-looking balls it seems, run of dots is interrupted as Berry swivel-pulls a shortish ball from Klein through square for four. Barresi too full first ball of the next and is lifted over cover by DvdB for four more, more dots follow. Kampong looking pretty comfortable after the powerplay.

After a watchful start, Minhas gets off the mark last ball of the fifth punching an overpitched delivery from Elenbaas through cover for a couple. They’ve some time to play themselves in here though, despite the ten overs off.

Back on at Thurlede too, Steenbergen and Ferguson opening, Ralston and Balnkestijn open the bowling for the hosts.

Back on at the ‘plex too. And a huge wicket early as Numair has Vandiar chopping on first ball of the second. Sinkander Zulfiqar up to three to joing Minhas, and starts positively cutting the last ball of the over hard and square for four. Ralph Elenbaas shares the new ball.

Floyd replaces Crowley, and an errant start as his first two balls are sprayed down leg for a total of four wides, but he’s glad of the extra deliveries as Kooistra walks out and to leg for the final bal of the over, misses and is smartly stumped by Wolfe. Van der Meulen in at four.

Kampong one down too now, O’Dowd takes a knee to Rossouw but a big top edge on the sweep is held deep in the leg side. Lane Berry at three, cuts his first ball hard through point for four.

Overdijk with the first wicket at Hazelaarweg, back of a length and finds Jannet’s outside edge, simple take for the keeper and a big wicket in the last over of the powerplay. Oberholzer the new man, and blocks out the over.

They’re back on at Kampong now too, O’Dowd and van den Berg opening, Kyle Klein takes the new ball. O’Dowd finds the rope fourth ball with a lovely cover drive, then the next ball is speared down leg for five wides. 11 off the first over. Rossouw from the other end, and van den Burg gets stuck into him, back to back fours forced over the off side, then two twos in the same direction. Could be over quick, this.

First resumption is at Hazerlaarweg for the only full 50-over chase of the afternoon, Jannet and Kooistra opening for the hosts and just nibbling away at the total for now, couple of bad balls put away for four but plenty of dots too. Crowley and Overdijk share the new ball

Musa collects Braat and Sahil kothari, both caught by Mohson Riaz, but Statham’s there to the end, not out 67 for 64 deliveries. A fine knock, and a valuable stand of 93 with Jamil, but will it be enough to retain Hermes’ unbeaten record?.

The flourish mostly comes from Hampton. But also from Ahmadi, who produces the third hat-trick of the season, Etman caught by Jacob, and Jason Ralston and Karson Edward both bowled first ball. Hampton’s still there, though, and he goes to fifty by smashing Malik over midwicket for six. Baker bowls the last, and Hampton rubs it in with two more sixes, both hammered over long on. The third falls short, and Sam Ferguson’s under it. Hampton goes for 67 off 49 deliveries.

Half-centuries for both Statham and Jamil, but immediately after the latter reaches his milestone with a meaty six over cow off Tehzeeb, the bowler takes a remarkable return catch, running to his right and collecting the ball over his shoulder, to remove him for 52. Sebastiaan Braat joins Statham, who has passed fifty for the 70th time in his long career.

Ingram has turned the game Kampong’s way with four quick wickets, after Gopinath bowled Botha for 37. The first of them was Barresi, caught by Kumar for 45, and he then added Klein, Sellin de Beer and Julien de Mey. Bangs returned to remove Navjit Singh, and it’s left to Benno Boddendijk and Jayden Rossouw, the final pair, to pick up what they can. Four for 38 for Ingram, his best haul of the season so far.

Van Tonder lofts Scheepers wide of mid-on to go to his half-century, but the bowler gets his revenge, scattering his stumps for 54. Joost Kroesen comes and goes, run out by a smart piece of fielding by Klesse at short cover, and Niels Etman joins Hampton for a final flourish.

The answer was seven, as they’re evidently playing the full 50 overs at the Hazelaarweg. HCC take it into the final over of the innings, despite Aaditt Jain picking up Brown and Daniel Crowley and Schoonheim returning to remove Overdijk for 29. Teun Leijer and Henrico Venter eke out ten more runs before the innings ends on 211.

The elements have prevailed in the Bos, it seems, and the teams will have to be content with a point apiece. Match abandoned. Can’t imagine anyone will be happy with that.

Hermes need to get a move on, and Jamil goes after Musa, hitting him for six and then four to get the scoreboard moving.

And indeed, Hampton effortlessly pulls Scheepers over midwicket for six, and in his next over eases him through extra cover for four. Two more boundaries take him to 27* off 19, and that takes a lot of pressure off Van Tonder, who’s gone to 48*.

Botha is happy to take the initiative, hitting three boundaries in his 32* so far, and he’s already overtaken a more cautious Barresi. But the latter knows he needs to anchor the rest of the innings if HBS are to set a target which can pressure Kampong’s top order.

Patel doesn’t stay long, caught by Janett off Christiaan Oberholzer for 8, but Overdijk’s still there, in company now with Josh Brown. How many overs left? Seven? Six? Five? .

The Niaz show continues, Elenbaas clipping him off his pads and caught by Sikander Zulfiqar at square leg. Mussayab Jamil in at six, with Niaz on four for 28. And they take a drink..

Drinks at Thurlede, triggered by Baker’s removal of Van Troost, who lofts him down the throat of Manminder Singh at deep midwicket and departs for 13. Van Tonder now on 41*, Brett Hampton in as a fairly intimidating No. 6.

Pierre Jacod removes Walbrugh for 40, attempting a slog-sweep and caught in front. Lehan Botha joins Barresi for what is likely to be a crucial partnership.

As the gesticulating perhaps indicated, there’s a damp patch on the pitch which is causing problems, and there will be another, and final, inspection at 15:30. Don’t hold your breath. In fact, if you’re anywhere near the Bos, get out there and breathe hard on the problem area.

A half-century for White, since when he’s started batting more freely – he’s moved to 60* now, with Overdijk content to hold up the other end. With Brown and Patel still to come, HCC ought to be eyeing something in excess of 200 from here. And as I write that, Schoonheim has White caught by Kooistra, 200-plus receding a little into the middle distance.

Another for Niaz, Ostling getting under a pull, bottom hand coming off the bat, and another catch for Musa, closer to deep midwicket this time. We get a first look at Tehzeeb Haider, a briskish medium pacer, but it’s Niaz who makes it three as Asad Zulfiqar swings and misses, his off stump uprooted. Olivier Elenbaas in to join Nick Statham.

Van Tonder’s off and running now, with 31* from 39 deliveries. Van Troost’s still there, Snoep still on from the Chalet End. Jacob’s had a couple of overs from the City End, replaced now by Umar Baker.

Animated discussion in the middle at VRA following a prolonged session of rolling, but we know not yet what it portends.

Bowling change produces wicket at Maarschalkerweerd as well: Akhil Gopinath on from the University End, Del Bianco drives a little uppishly, and Ingram snaffles the catch at mid-off. Which brings in Barresi to join Walbrugh.

The old warhorse Jelte Schoonheim replaces Van der Meulen, and promptly takes a superb one-handed return catch to remove Wolfe for 24. He had no time at all to think about that! Wolfe goes for 24, White 37*, Hidde Overdijk the new man.

Burhan Niaz on for Shahzad, and Dutt, aware no doubt of the overs marching on, decides to go after him. A lofted four and a two, but then he goes aerial again and holes out to Musa Ahmad at wideish long on. He goes for 29, Ostling on 18*. Asad Zulfiqar in to take on his old team-mates at three.

Another for Snoep, Naqvi looking to play an expansive drive and edging into his off stump. Stan van Troost in to join Van Tonder, who has 1* from 14 deliveries.

Drinks at Maarschalkerweerd, with Del Bianco now on 32* and Walbrugh on 19*. Lorenzo Ingram on for Bangs, but this is looking a little ominous for Kampong.

Jason van der Meulen on from the Airport End now, with Scott Janett replacing Van Wingerden from the other. But Wolfe has settled into his new role, and he and White have brought the total close to three figures.

Punjab hustling through the overs, and Ostling and Dutt are finding runs are hard to come by. Ostling, though, does some damage to Tariq’s previously impeccable figures, pulling him behind square for four, then cutting him over point for a couple.

Snoep into the attack from the Chalet End, and when Verhagen, on 24, gets under the final delivery of his first over, newcomer Johne Jacob moves across to his left from mid-on to take the catch. Two balls later Khalid Ahmadi removes Rahaley as well, caught by keeper Boorer off an inside edge for 37. Sparta’s battling season continues. Antum Naqvi in to join Raynard van Tonder now.

And it’s Roy who gets the breakthrough, Mason spooning him awkwardly to Max O’Dowd at mid-on and departing for 10. Tayo Walbrugh has joined Del Bianco, getting under way by standing up tall and lashing left-arm medium-paced Lachlan Bangs through point for four.

Another for Harhangi, Staal, having negotiated his way to 28, caught by Bart Kooistra. Mark Wolfe, promoted to five, joins White.

Finally under way at the Zomercomplex: Ostling and Dutt open for Hermes, Suleiman Tariq starting with a maiden from the Equestrian Centre End. Khurram Shahzad drops his second delivery a little short, and is pulled to the midwicket boundary by Ostling.

Rahaley is not hanging around, lofting Malik back over his head for four. Then he takes three in a row off Scheepers, two glorious strokes through the covers sandwiching a more fortuitous edge to the third man boundary. Another off Malik, following one by Verhagen, and Excelsior are motoring.

Restored to an opening slot, Mason pulls Kumar behind square for four when he drops a little short. Scott Edwards is keeping today, by the way, taking over from Van den Berg. Alex Roy warming up as HBS have made a decent start.

Van Wingerden on from the Pavilion End, as Staal and White set about rebuilding after those two wickets. And the runs are coming a little more freely now.

They’ll be playing 40 overs at the Zomercomplex, with a start at 13:30. Punjab have won the toss and elected to bowl.

Under way at Thurlede as well, with Sam Rahaley and Roel Verhagen facing Ahsan Malik and Juandre Scheepers. It’s a tribute to the ground staff that when Rahaley pushes Malik into the covers at goes all the way to the boundary.

Aaaaaaand we have a start at Maarschalkerweerd, HBS having won the toss and elected to bat. Lucas del Bianco and Reece Mason open, facing Kertan Nana and Shashank Kumar. Not sure how many overs, but 43 might be a reasonable guess.

Roman Harhangi on for Aaditt Jain. Definitely a yard or so faster, and when Gorlee drives him square it runs all the way to the boundary. But he digs the next one in outside off stump, Gorlee flirts with a ramp, De Kok appeals, Harhangi celebrates, and the umpire’s finger goes up. Gorlee can’t believe it, making his scepticism plain, but umpire Hancock is in no doubt. So the captain has to go, succeeded by Oliver White.

The dome covers are back on in the Bos, with the run-ups also protected. Nothing much doing just yet.

Breakthrough at the Hazelaarweg! There were signs of edginess creeping in to the HCC batters, and finally Floyd loses patience, pulling Aaditt into the hands of Siebe van Wingerden at midwicket. He drops his bat in disgust, then picks it up and trudges off. Boris Gorlee in at three.

Joost-Martijn Snoep calls correctly at Thurlede and invites the hosts to have a bat.

A fluent cover drive earns Staal three off Aaditt, and then Floyd steers him down through the gully for a boundary. Arnav looks distinctly the more menacing of the new ball pairing, Staal defending without a great deal of conviction. Four singles off as many overs is a pretty good start. Fewer problems from the other end, Floyd producing a nice square drive for another couple.

Spirits duly lifted in the Bos, along with the covers. The acid test, of course, is what they find once they’ve done that. Watch this space.

Green light at Thurlede – they’ll be playing 43 overs a side, starting at 13:00. Toss imminent.

Inspection at 13:00 at the Zomercomplex, we understand, with an immediate toss is the ground is deemed playable.

Floyd very fortunately off the mark, as he edges Arnav to slip but the catch doesn’t stick. Low to the left hand, but it goes through and they get a single. The Jains are keeping things pretty quiet in these early stages.

Well, stone the crows and stap me vitals! WE HAVE A START AT THE HAZELAARWEG! VOC won the toss, it seems, and invited HCC to have a bat. Clayton Floyd and Tonny Staal have opened, with Jains about (in dominos terms) with the new ball, Arnav spinning it from the Pavilion End, Aaditt left-arm pace from the Airport End. A maiden from Arnav to Floyd, but Staal, down on one knee, lofts Aaditt over cover point for a stylish six. A couple of wides and a single complete the scoring.

Way too soon for any lifting of the spirit in the Amsterdamse Bos, but at least a party has ventured out to the middle to look at the state of the covers. Which can evidently best be described as ‘wet’.

The state of the run-ups being a cause for concern, the umpires have decided that they’ll have a look at 12:30.

The hope, we understand, is for a start at 12:30 if there’s no more rain. So we can expect a toss in 20 minutes or so.

Ditto the Zomercomplex.

Nothing from the Hazelaarweg as yet, but conditions there are likely to be broadly similar to Schiedam.

The covers are off, creases are being marked, and we could be in serious danger of getting some cricket. They have another half-hour, remember, before overs start coming off.

First news from Thurlede, where the rain has stopped and they may be thinking about removing the covers. It’ll take a good deal of clearing up before there’s thought of a toss, no doubt.