Topklasse Live | Round 9 | As it Happened

So it goes into the final over, Singh to bowl it, with six needed. Del Bianco on strike. The first ball’s hammered to midwicket for a couple. Then two more into the covers. And a third wide of mid-on to win it. HBS win by six wickets.

Eales reckons he’s got Klein plumb, but the umpire’s not persuaded. But after another single he evades Klein’s pad and connects with the stumps. Too little, too late perhaps, but with eight balls left it’s not quite over. Lucas del Bianco in at six.

Singh back from Mulder’s End. Three singles, then Barresi goes big towards cow and is caught by Shariz for 25. Kyle Klein joins Walbrugh with 12 required.

Walbrugh lofts Eales to long on for four, and later in the over Barresi whacks him to third man for another. 14 from the over in all, Walbrugh now on 84*, Barresi on 24*.

Now the only show in town, it’s nip and tuck in the Bos, where HBS need 29 off the last four overs.

All over for Excelsior: Stan van Troost is caught behind by Shinwari off Shafiq (five for 10), Saqib Zulfiqar traps Rens van Troost in front, and then Mathijs Schewe is stumped by Shinwari off Shafiq (six for 17). Punjab win by 54 runs.

Jain and Harhangi have seen their side home, and for the second day in a row ACC’s spirited effort is just not quite enough. VOC win by 2 wickets.

Hake has removed Botha for 90, swinging across the line and caught by Singh at deep square leg. But since then, Walbrugh and Barresi have kept the scoreboard moving, and now HBS need 38 off the last six overs. Walbrugh’s on 77*.

Sayed returns, and when Van der Meulen, on 46, skies him vertically for Van der Merwe to take the catch, he runs halfway to the boundary in celebration, even before the catch has been completed. But since then Jain and Harhangi have been picking off the runs, and now just 11 are required.

But the slide is on at ‘t Zomercomplex: Shafiq returns, and Niels Etman holes out to Musa at long on as he tries what he has to. He goes for 33, and then Victor Lubbers follows first ball, trapped in front as he makes to drive. Two balls later Ralston is caught by at deep midwicket as he hits out; three wickets in four balls for Shafiq.

Five required, as Fraser bowls to Braat. And chaos ensues, as he drives the first into a gap at long on and they run three. Then a fourth, and the throw at the stumps is wild. Scores level. If they have that 46.2 in their minds, this is it. And Braat hits it over cover for another boundary, so Hermes win by six wickets. By my count that gives them an NRR of 0.199 (that is, I stress, unofficial), which means that any Punjab victory at ‘t Zomercomplex will put Hermes into the top six.

At ‘t Loopveld, meanwhile, it looks as if ACC are again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Van der Meulen, now on 45*, and Aaditt Jain have been quietly manoevring their side towards a win which seemed pretty unlikely half an hour ago, and now they need just 20 more.

And crucially, Ingram has gone, playing on to Sikander Zulfiqar for 61. That’s probably it, as Stan van Troost joins Niels Etman.

There are several games going on at once here: Sparta might profit from Hermes’ desire to secure their NRR position, since the Spartans’ only interest, really, is to snatch the points. Hermes will have other things on their mind, although to be honest it looks as if the margin at ‘t Zomercomplex is likely to be greater than Bertus’s notional one run. However you cut it, Hermes need 17 to win.

It’s increasingly looking as if Excelsior are going to have to beat Punjab if they are to make it into the championship pool, as Elenbaas and Braat reduce the deficit to 28.

Botha and Walbrugh are taking the fight to the VRA bowlers now, Botha on 61* in his most substantial innings of the season, Walbrugh on 44*. Eales and Singh back for the home side.

Another half-century for Ingram, and few can have been so significant for his team. It’s unlikely to be enough, you’d think, but he’s not going to see Excelsior’s hopes disappear easily. They need another 120 off 14 overs, though.

And another, this time it’s Schoonheim, patting a simple return catch to the off-spinner. Aaditt Jain in to join Van der Meulen.

The game – and, indeed, the season – take another turn, as Ostling, on 66, cuts Ahmadi behind point and off the top edge into the hands of Fraser. Braat joins Elenbaas with the match back in the balance.

And another for Hans: De Kok swings at Hans, the edge flies to third man, where Sheena lies in wait. VOC in deep trouble as Jelte Schoonheim joins Van der Meulen, who’s on 23*.

Fifty for the imperturbable Ostling (is there an English verb ‘to ostle’, and does it mean what the Hermes opener is doing here? ‘Aaaarh, as oi was ostling down to ‘t market ‘tother day . . . ‘), and as they take a drink at the Loopuyt Oval things are looking pretty good for Hermes.

Not so much now, as Verhagen spoons the simplest of catches off Musa to Vandiar at midwicket. He goes for 26, and Ingram, on 40*, is joined by Niels Etman. Not for the first time, Excelsior’s fortunes seem to depend on their long-serving allrounder.

Hans bowls Bettelheim as he swings across the line and sees his off stump go flying. De Kok joins Van der Meulen with his side once again in disarray.

Time for drinks in the Bos, with Botha and Walbrugh still in occupation of the crease, now on 28* and 29* respectively.

Fifty stand now, with Verhagen on 24* and Ingram on 28*. They still need 160 for victory, but things are looking healthier for Excelsior than they were forty minutes ago.

Another wicket for Baker, who’s switched to the Pavilion End, and Ostling loses another partner as Klijnhans drives uppishly to mid-off and Manminder Singh takes the catch. Olivier Elenbaas in at five.

VOC have lost another, as Jain comes looking for a single off Hans, is sent back, and is unable to make his ground. In a game considerably more significant that yesterday’s ACC have a sniff of a first win, and they are, as Australian commentators are fond of saying, ‘up and about’..

Botha and Walbrugh building a very useful stand, the latter greeting the advent of Turmaine with successive boundaries. Johan Smal, we understand, has split the webbing on one hand, and has had to leave the field.

Solid progress by Verhagen and Ingram, Ingram belting Musa Ahmad for six. They’ve doubled the score, but there’s still a long, long way to go.

Something of a collapse at ‘t Loopveld, in fact: after smacking Kothari for successive sixes and adding a four into the bargain, Schierhout tries again and is caught by Sayed for 27. In the next over McKenzie falls to a stunning diving catch by Van der Merwe, in front of first slip, and leaves without scoring. Bettelheim and Arnav Jain together now.

And a wicket at the Loopuyt, where Statham dabs a Snoep delivery into Mudford’s gloves. He goes for 16, bringing in CP Klijnhans to join Ostling.

Fourie dismisses Sayed wide of mid-on for six, and three balls later he’s dismissed himself, caught behind by Van der Merwe off a big edge. Taylor Bettelheim in at three.

Max Hoornweg on from the Railway End, but Ostling and Statham bring up the hundred for Hermes, and with wickets falling at ‘t Zomercomplex their position is looking rosier by the moment.

HBS lose their first wicket, Mason trapped in front by Eales for 13. He’s very unhappy about the decision, but that butters no parsnips, and he has to go. Tayo Walbrugh succeeds him at the crease.

Another one gone at ‘Zomercomplex: Etman cuts uppishly at Tariq and is caught by Shafiq in the gully. He goes for 18, and Verhagen is joined by Ingram.

A steady start by Schierhout and Fourie against Sayed and Kothari, but they know they have a relatively straightforward chase on their hands.

But Excelsior’s pursuit has suffered a heavy blow, Mitchell slashing at Shafiq and smartly caught by Shinwari behind the stumps. Verhagen in to join Etman.

Cameron Fraser took some tap when Doyle was in full spate, but he’s much more in control bowling to Ostling and Statham. Unlike many batters in the Topklasse, Ostling tends to favour common sense rather than the bludgeon, but they’re keeping the scoreboard moving along.

And in the Bos, where Floyd bowls the first over from Mulder’s End to Reece Mason, who takes a single, and Lehan Botha. Eales to bowl the second.

They’re back out at ‘t Loopveld as well, Sayed bowling from the Uilenstede End to Ryan Schierhout, partnered as usual by Francois Fourie. Just a wide off it. Kothari from the River Amstel End.

Excelsior have started their chase at ‘t Zomercomplex, Mitchell off the mark with a four off Shafiq, who starts from the Equestrian Centre End. Suleiman Tariq will bowl the second to Tim Etman.

A distinct change of tempo at Loopuyt Oval since the departure of Doyle, singles in place of the torrent of boundaries.

Having blasted his way to 48 off 28, Doyle plays on to Umar Baker’s second delivery, bringing Nick Statham in to join Ostling. Some relief for Sparta (and for Excelsior), but that’s been a great start for Hermes.

Doyle does what Doyle does, hitting Snoep for four and Fraser for six, then four fours off Fraser’s third over. Hermes, or more specifically, Doyle away to a flyer, and Excelsior must be viewing this with some concern.

McKenzie bowls the last, and after some spirited running between the brothers he bowls Arav. Reddy and Arnav see off the last three deliveries, and ACC manage to avoid being dismissed.

As will Punjab, despite a late flurry of wickets, among them Vandiar for 116, caught by Derek Mitchell off Victor Lubbers. Two run-outs at the end make it three for the innings, but Excelsior have a big task on their hands if they are to make the outcome at the Loopuyt irrelevant.

Botha removes Eales, caught at long on by Barresi for a 12-ball 17, bringing in Shariz Ahmad, who hits him for two and is then run out pushing for another second. But this brings in Floyd, who wraps things up by hitting Kyle Klein for six. VRA will be pretty happy with that.

Hans falls to Aaditt Jain, unable to get on top of a defensive shot and caught at midwicket by Ryan Schierhout. Sayed scoops Hoseinbaks behind square to go to 54*, but then his gets under a lofted straight drive and is caught at long off by Van der Meulen. That brings together brothers Arnav and Arav Mishra, together in the ACC side for the first time, and they add some valuable runs.

They’re back out at Loopuyt Oval, with Ostling and Doyle opening as usual, Fraser starting with a maiden from the Pavilion End to the former. Martijn Snoep to bowl the second from the Railway End.

Smal and Eales are capitalising on the great start they have inherited, and it could be a tough couple of overs for HBS.

Vandiar plays Ingram to mid-off for the single that gives him an eleventh Topklasse century, his fourth for Punjab. Into the last five overs, with Shafiq now his partner.

At ‘t Loopveld, Potdar has fallen to Jelte Schoonheim, but Sayed has reached another fifty, supported now by Mahesh Hans.

Niaz, having hit Verhagen for six through midwicket, is sent back by Vandiar looking for an impossible single, and is beaten by Rens van Troost’s side-on throw. Shinwari comes and goes, caught by Niels Etman off Van Troost, and Excelsior are grappling their way back into this. But Vandiar’s still there, on 98*.

Singh races to 96*, including a mighty six off De Villiers and another off De Mey, but then he holes out to Botha on the boundary, and has to depart four short of his century. Eales in to join Smal.

De Villiers removes Prince, who lofts him out to long on and is caught by Barresi. Johan Smal joins Singh, who’s on 78* now.

The return of Ralston sees back-to-back boundaries for Vandiar. and with ten overs left his gone to 91*. But with the final ball of his over Ralston uproots Sikander’s middle stump, and he departs for 18. Burhan Niaz the new man.

Sayed’s once again proving his worth with the bat, on to 40* now. McKenzie back from the River Amstel End, but Potdar turns him neatly behind square for four.

Two in the over for Elenbaas, as Fraser skies him a return patch and departs for 78. Elenbaas finishes with four for 42, brother Ralph with three for 19. But Baker and Max Hoornweg take a few more invaluable runs from Braat’s final over, and that’s an excellent Spartan recovery from 16 for three.

Singh goes to 75*, Prince to 21*, and VRA seem set for a very solid total with a dozen overs left and they take a drink.

Snoep’s gone, swinging across the line at Olivier Elenbaas and caught at mid-on by Braat for 15. Ahmadi’s joined Fraser, but follows in Elenbaas’s next, caught by Doyle at long on. Fraser on 78*, with 11 balls remaining.

Ingram still wheeling away from the Equestrian Centre End, economically but without further success. He’s got three for 21, but Vandiar’s on 71*, and menacing. Time for a drink at the Zomercomplex.

Sayed and Van der Merwe are beginning to get things moving, the former belting Sayed back over his head for four. Both on 25*, but then disaster strikes: Sayed drives him back hard and straight, Harhangi gets a hand on it, and the deflection into the stumps is too quick for Van der Merwe’s dive back. Surely the unluckiest way to get out? Shreyas Potdar in at seven.

Having reached fifty, Singh lofts a returning Botha effortlessly over midwicket for four to bring up his team’s hundred, then plays him a little less certainly to fine leg. That’s followed, when he comes round the wicket, by a pull through midwicket for a third, and a fourth through the covers. Big over, that.

Upping the ante includes Fraser hammering Braat back over his head for six, and he’s moved on to 65* now. Snoep still there on a very patient 6*.

Another for Ingram: Gondal trapped on the crease, and the umpire doesn’t hestitate in raising his finger. Vandiar on 57*, as Sikander Zulfiqar joins him.

ACC and VOC are staging a Sargasso Sea of a match at ‘t Loopveld, with Sayed and Van der Merwe still becalmed but Hoseinbaks and Harhangi, who’s now into the attack from the River Amstel End, yet to find the breakthrough.

Fifty for Fraser, with Snoep giving him good support. Braat and Van Giezen looking to break the stand as Sparta seek to up the ante in the final ten.

The breakthrough in the Bos (quite a good title for a murder mystery, BTW): Rasool, on 24, swipes at a lifting delivery from Venter and slices it to mid-on, where Amrit Singh takes the catch. Vikram Singh’s on 47*, joined now by Demari Prince.

Saqib’s visit to the crease proves brief, as he makes to cut Ingram and Stan van Troost does the rest. But not before Vandiar goes to fifty, lofting Niels Etman back over his head for four. He’s joined now by Muhammad Gondal.

Hoseinbaks and Aaditt Jain still operating at ‘t Loopveld, and Sayed and Van der Merwe still grafting away as they try to dig their side out of all-too-familiar trouble.

Singh and Rasool still going well here at the Bos, though the latter offers a half chance chipping Venter back dangerously close to a backtracking mid on. Change of bat for Singh, who’s on 44*, Rasool on 23*.

Ingram belatedly into the attack to immediate effect, Musa sweeping hard behind square but the trap had been set and picks out the man in the deep behind square. He goes for 27, Saqib Zulfiqar in.

Olivier Elenbaas back and finds the breakthrough, Scheepers playing across the line, looping leading edge and long off jogs in to claim the catch. Snoep in.

And another for Hoseinbaks as Sheena drives hard into the hands of extra cover. Van der Merwe in

Ahmad and Vandiar still ticking along nicely at the Zomercomplex meanwhile. Both into the mid 20s now and a half-century partnership. Rens van Troost on looking for the breakthrough.

Another down at ‘t Loopveld as Kothari looks to take Hoseinbaks downtown but gets too far under it, spoooned up and an esay catch for long on coming round. Sheena in and immediately on the attack, steps across and off the mark with a lofted four over midwicket.

Braat brings himself on, and looks to have Scheepers in a spot of bother as he’s struck on the back pad, but the appeal is strangled and next ball sits up to be hit. Scheepers obliges and brings up his fifty with a big six over square leg.

Singh and Rasool have done well to stave off both a disciplined opening effort from HBS’ new ball pair, and indeed the sheer boredom of waiting around for them to actually bowl. Over an hour it’s taken to get through the powerplay. Venter and Singh take over now.

Well after putting up such a fine fight in the Amsterdam derby it seems like normal service has resumed at ACC, leading edge from Raza gifts Jain what must be the easiest return catch he’s ever taken. Sayed at four.

Etman into the attack and a serves up a full toss third ball that Vandiar dumps over the midwicket boundary for six, and a protracted ball hunt ensues.

Slot fron Klein and Singh pounces, all wrist and pose and that’s away over the midwicket rope for six. Follows it up with a lovely front foot drive next ball that forges through the lush outfield to the extra cover boundary.

Scheepers and Fraser’s graft has paid off, they’ve steadied things somewhat at the Loopuyt. Fraser takes Sparta to three figures pushing Ekrami out through the covers for a single. He’s on 7* from 28, Scheepers 42* off 62. Woermijer from the other end.

Slow going here in more ways than one. Singh and Rasool weathering a testing opening spell from Klein and Botha, seems to be doing a fair bit off the surface. A couple have held up too, leading to a pair of tough catching chances which didn’t quite go to hand. They’ve taken their time bowling these though, just seven overs in 45 minutes.

First down across the way, McKenzie gets one to jag away from Ahmed’s forward defense, thick outside edge to second slip, gone for one. Raza in.

Ralston coming in for some tap now, Vandiar runs him wide of third off the face for four, then Ahmad laces a back foot drive through cover for four more and follows it up with a bored-looking pull over backward square for six.

VOC are indeed bowling first, having won the toss. Rahil Ahmed and Sahil Kothari open the batting, Arnav Jain to bowl the first over.

Bad news from Westvliet, just too much water it seems. Match Abandoned.

Signs of life at ‘t Loopveld. VOC are warming up on the outfield. They’ll be bowling by the look of it. Not sure if that’s out of choice.

Scheepers and Fraser have dropped anchor meanwhile. Jabarkhail into the attack.

They are fussing about the run-ups again.

Minhas carves Ralston over backward point for four, but next ball he’s on the charge swinging at air and loses his middle stump. Vandiar in.

We’re underway here at the Bos too. Back to the traditional Singh-Rasool opening combo, Botha and Kyle Klein open the bowling. tidy start from those two, and the sun’s arrived!

Another down at the Loopuyt, looped up full by van Giezen, Sradha prods at it and nicks through. Singh in and opens his account cutting behind point for four. But two balls later he’s gone too, edged to slip for four. Fraser in and Sparta on the ropes.

And they’re underway at the Zomercomplex. Minhas and Musa Ahmad opening the batting. Ralston and Lubbers share the new ball. Slow and short second ball from Ralston, who seems to be bowling off pace, and Minhas pulls hard across the square rope for six. Lubbers looking the sharper of the two, just a couple of singles off his first.

Promising signs at Westvliet, covers off, sky brightening.

HBS win the toss and invite the hosts to bat first.

No evidence of caution creeping into the Spartan game, both bats happy to chase width. Scheepers laces Olivier Elenbaas through cover point for four, Sardha does the same thing twice to Ralph in the next over. Sam van Giezen into the attack.

Excelsior win the toss and send Punjab in to bat.

Covers off at ‘t Loopveld. Lots of the now-customary prodding at run-ups happening.

Three for Ralph Elenbaas! Another wild shot, Balwantsingh swinging across the line, leading edge up high into the off side, taken and gone. Sardha joins Scheepers, who’s seen 11 balls without scoring.

Drainage has done a decent job we hear. Toss at 12.30, Start at 1pm, 43 each way.

Word from the Zomercomplex is they’re aiming for a 12.45 start, 45 overs each way, toss in five minutes.

And we have cricket! Mudford up the order to open for Sparta alongside Balwantsingh, Olivier Elenbaas opens the bowling and finding extravagant movement. Mudford comes down the track to try to negate the swing second ball, beaten on the inside edge and the ball keeps swinging away from the keeper, gone for four byes. Mudford off the mark two balls later off an inside edge. Ralph Elebnbaas from the other end, Mudford down the track again swinging third ball and skies it. Safely held. Big wicket first up. Ferguson in. And Ferguson out! Two balls and he prods outside off, straight to first slip! Scheepers at four. What a start for the Sky Blues!

Still too wet at Westvliet we hear.

Ahh well at least for the pitch we’re on today they’re taking it off to the side. Still I guess we’re gonna see how well the new drainage works…

Covers coming off at VRA. Seems like they’re dumping the water directly onto the run-ups. A curious strategy.

Playing the hits here. It’s the feel-bad sound of the summer “Another inspection at noon. Dry now but there’s concern about the run-ups”

And Sparta win said toss and will bat first.

Good news from Schiedam, the umpires have had a look and are happy enough. Toss in ten minutes.

Still raining.

No official word from ‘t Loopveld yet, but I can see from here it’s raining.

Covers off at the Zomercomplex now too, but a bit more rain expected. Inspection at 11 if it holds off.

The covers are off and preparations underway. Optimism abounds, but still pretty wet out there. Inspection at 11.15.

Still drizzling here at the Bos, and the radar suggests it won’t be stopping before noon either. Pretty confident will get a game in, but equally confident there won’t be any play this morning.

Covers still on at the Zomercomplex, not expecting to toss on time.

A dogged last-wicket stand between Van Vliet and Nota adds 32, but then Nota’s run out by Woermeijer, and Hermes win by 49 runs, Van Vliet finishing on 27*.

A brace of twos for Nashier seal the issue: he finishes with 35*, and VRA win by two wickets. And with that, they have sealed their place in the championship pool.

McInerney into the attack, Hoseinbaks reverse sweeps into the hands of Crowley, and HCC win by 80 runs.

Fletcher squeezes one past slip and down to the boundary. Just four required now.

Nine required now from three as Nashier and Fletcher continue to pick off the singles.

It’s effectively over at De Diepput too: Jain major’s been caught by mid-on by Wiggins off Leijer and goes for 40, and then Upadhyaya’s bowled by Charumbira. Harhangi and Hoseinbaks the final pair.

Braat collects another: Nel caught by Klijnhans for 7. Some late resistance from Van Vliet, which Hermes may regret from an NRR point of view. But the points will matter to them more.

Nashier and Fletcher inch their way towards the target, and now they need 18 from six.

Jain minor goes without scoring, caught by Wiggins at point off Overdijk, and Roman Harhangi comes in to join Arnav.

Klein’s gone at Westvliet, caught by Ralph Elenbaas off Braat for 35, and Van Vliet joins Nel with Hermes on the brink of a very important victory.

Fletcher gets away with one, slicing Sayed to straightish midwicket. A couple of balls later ACC are celebrating what they believe is a catch from Nashier, but the umpires rule, it seems, that it was a bump ball another catch is put down. 22 required from nine overs, but it’s all about the wickets now.

A very useful stand comes to an end as Crowley returns to remove Van der Meulen for 32, catching an inside edge and Patel taking a good catch low to his left. Jains at both ends now, as Aaditt joins Arnav.

Klein and Nel have got the deficit down below 100, but with only 15 overs left and only three wickets in hand, the odds still favour the visitors. No doubt there’s a lot of interest at Westvliet – and in Schiedam – in events in Amstelveen.

Sayed returns for a final burst, and when Turmaine pushes for a second to square leg his despairing dive is too late as Wolfe absolutely marmelises the stumps. It’s increasingly looking like ACC’s first win of the competition as Fletcher joins Nashier.

Six for Jain off Charumbira relieves the pressure a tad, as do back-to-back boundaries for Van der Meulen off Wiggins. But the equation’s still 113 from 14, and that’s a big ask.

Braat returns to remove Kingma, trapped in front for 12, and young Jacobus Nel joins Klein.

A win for VRA would, of course, cement their top-six place, rendering Hermes’ efforts fruitless, and Eales and Nashier have added 21 for the seventh wicket. But as I write this ACC grab another, and it’s the biggie: Eales, on 40, nicks Zaidi through to Wolfe, who takes a very smart catch. All the more credit to the keeper as he’d just had to deal with an attack by a passing wasp. Turmaine joins Nashier.

VOC’s, not so much. Jain and Van der Meulen have brought up the hundred, but with 18 overs left they still need a gross of run (for those who remember pre-metric tables). Charumbira on from the Scoreboard End now, bowling in tandem with Wiggins.

Olivier Elenbaas returns to get Molenaar caught behind for 6, and now it’s Viv Kingma who’s in with Klein, who has made his way to 22*. Hermes’ hopes of making the top six are not quite dead yet!

Kothari back, and he promptly has Floyd caught by Raza as he drives uppishly to mid-off. Eales is still there, but he’s got a heavy, heavy weight on his shoulders now.

Jed Wiggins brings spin into the attack, and McKenzie goes down on one knee to sweep his third delivery, hard into the hands of Leijer at square leg. Jason van der Meulen in at seven, with VOC’s reply another in tatters.

Ditto at Westvliet, where Kulkarni has been and gone, caught behind by Statham off Woermeijer. Michael Molenaar in now, and Voorburg also need a big stand to get their chase back on track.

Hans and Raza operating in tandem now, and it’s Hans who gets the breakthrough, Shariz pulling him in the air to Rahil Ahmed at midwicket. This one is definitely not going according to the script, as Floyd joins Eales.

And another one down at De Diepput: De Kok lashes out at Leijer, and is caught in the covers Gorlee. What is it about Dutch batters and the unwelcome rush of blood? Arnav Jain joins McKenzie, with VOC again needing a bit of discipline with the bat.

Some serious rebuilding to be done at Westvliet, with Kulkarni absorbing most of the strike but yet to get off the mark. Which he does as I write this, taking a single off Woermeijer. 194 looks a long way off at the moment.

Sayed back as ACC look to press home their advantage, with the chase now in the hands of Eales and Shariz. This is a very important partnership for the men in blue.

Seems to be Overdijk’s day today at de Diepput. Into the attack and nicks off the set bat with his sixth ball. Bettleheim goes for 22, de Kok in.

Speaking of trouble, VCC are three down now. Kaplan caught off Woermeijer and Hermes maybe sensing some incipient panic as Ryan Klein comes to the crease. And sure enough down goes another. Sam van Giezen bowls Croes with the first ball of the 16th. Kulkarni in

Well they’re certainly in it now as the set Singh shanks Mahesh Hans to backward point where Potdar holds the catch. Shariz Ahmad in and VRA in all sorts of a sudden.

Beauty from Kothari to take Prince’s off stump, he goes for 23 and judging by the volume of Kothari’s celebration he at least thinks ACC are well in this. Eales joins Singh in the middle.

VOC two-down too now as Fourie guides a wider ball from Leonard straight to slip. McKenzie in.

Another over for Oliver Elenbaas and another opener back in the shed. Levitt caught for just 4. Croes joins Kaplan.

Smal takes on one the front pad trying to work Kothari to leg, huge appeal and up goes the finger. Smal looks deeply displeased, Kothari rather over-exuberantly directs him to the pavilion. Singh in.

Crowley has his revenge on Schierhout, nicks him off first ball of the fifth. Bettleheim in.

Early wicket at Westvliet as well, Oliver Elenbaas bowls de Lange. Kaplan in to join Levitt.

Prince looks to be enjoying his promotion back up the order again, he’s played a couple of attractive strokes for his 15*, but loses a partner now as Rasool is utterly castled by Sayed. Smal at three .

And a perfect start to the chase for VOC, Crowley struggling to find his line and Schierhout cashes in, first ball outside off cut to the rope, next is short and sits up to be pulled in the opposite direction for the same result. 11 come off the first, Fourie yet to face, Leonard from the other end.

They’re back on at Westvliet as well, Oliver Elenbaas starting to Michael Levitt and Cedric de Lange. A steady start by Voorburg’s openers as well.

First action of the afternoon at ‘t Loopveld, where Izhaan Sayed opens from the Uilenstede End to Demari Prince, Shirase Rasool the non-striker. Tidy first over, and off the final delivery he’s put down in the gully – sharp, low chance, but it’s gone to ground. The returning Chris Knoll from the River Amstel End.

McKenzie does Overdijk with a well directed yorker, gone for a 54-ball 58. Patel won’t make it to fifty, deprived of the strike for the last ball and stranded on 45* off 28. Good effort from those two though, 257 on the board.

And they won’t make it to 200, Sam van Giezen last man out with two balls unused. Voorburg will need 194 for the win.

Zaidi picks up four cutting Fletcher behind point at a catchable height, but holes out off a worse delivery next ball, lowish full toss but can’t clear the rope. 168 will be the target.

Overdijk goes to fifty guiding McKenzie behind square, but it’s Patel cutting loose at the death now, big shots of McKenzie and Harahgi and he’s raced to 34* off just 21 balls.

Any late surge from Hermes is spiked as Kaplan bowls Braat for 28. Ekrami and Woermijer gone too, Hermes in danger of not batting their overs now and 200 looks a long way off.

Wickets still falling as ACC look to force the pace at the death, Kothari and Potdar caught in the deep off Ahmad and Eales respectively. Zaidi and Hans last pair.

Overdijk dumps Hoseinbaks over the midwicket boundary for six, but when Crowley looks to do likewise two balls later he picks out the man on the rope. He goes for a handy 27, Patel joins Overdijk.

ACC stumbling toward the death now, van der Merwe is caught off Eales miscuing to long off, and new man Wolfe is bowled by Ahmad soon after. Kothari joins Potdar.

Braat loses another partner, Elenbaas run out for 17. A lot resting on the Hrmes captain’s shoulders now. He’s joined by Ekrami for the last ten…

Meanwhile Crowley and Overdijk are closing in on a very welcome fifty-run partnership for the sixth at de Diepput. Overdijk targeting Jain in particular as he races into the twenties.

Much-needed drinks at ‘t Loopveld with Lou Bega on the board. Van der Merwe and Potdar have the beginnings of a partnership but will need to stay together a good while longer if the hosts are to post something competitive.

Ryan Klein into the attack and gets Klijnhans, bowled two short of fifty. Ralph Elenbaas joins Baat.

Two in two overs for Arnav Jain, first Kloppenburg and then Gorlee both clean bowled on the sweep. Crowley and Overdijk in now.

Leon Turmaine into the attack and gets the big wicket, Sheena takes a knee looking to clear the midwicket rope but more height than distance on it and gone for 27. Potdar in.

Lazy running costs HCC another there. Wiggins pushes Jain out toward the sweeper, Gorlee head down running hard for the second, was definitely there to be had but Wiggins hasn’t run the first fast enough and can’t make up the distance coming back. Well short as Fourie takes the bails. Kloppenurg in.

Hundred up at Westvliet too, Braat in with Klijnhans now though, Elenbaas having been caught behind off Nel a while back. Klijnhans top-scorer now on 36*, Hermes will need a substantial innings from him today you’d think.

Staal gone for 23, cutting Upadyaya to Jain at backward point, but Gorlee looks to have found some form. He moves into the forties slog-sweeping Hoseinbacks over midwicket for six, bringing up the hundred for his side. Wiggins with him now.

Floyd gets Ahmed at the second shout, looking to force the shot square and pinned in front for 32. Van der Merwe in with Sheena now as the latter takes ACC to three pigures pulling Singh over square leg for six.

Big wicket at Westvliet as Nel bowles Doyle for 35, Olivier Elenbaas in.

Another down at ‘t Loopveld as Ahmed cuts Hake just behind point and sets off, Sayed’s a little slow coming for the tight single and the direct hit beats the dive. Sheena in now with Ahmed, who’s on 24*.

Klijnhans and DDC counter-attacking now after those two early wickets, the pair conspire to clobber Kaplan out of the attack in the 12th. Youngsters Nota and Nel operating for the hosts now.

McInerney had been rather constrained sincehis quick start, Upahyaya profits from the pressure as McInerney tries to break the shackles bu can only pull him straight to McKenzie at cover. Gorlee in.

Shariz Ahmed into the attack and Raza sweeps his firt ball for four, but two balls later prods and nicks to Singh at slip. Sayed in at four.

Staal hit a monster six a while back pumping McKenzie over extra cover, but it’s been quiet since at de Diepput. Upadhyaya into the attack now, and Aaditt Jain takes over from his brother at the other end. Maiden to start from the young left arm quick.

Floyd into the attack and a big shout for LBW on Rahil first ball, but might have just got outside the line. Double change as Hake takes over at the other end, expensive start for him as a bottom edge from Knoll bounces over slip, then a more controlled carve over cover brings him six more. The fun’s over for Knoll next over though, as Floyd castles him first up. Raza at three.

Statham doesn’t last long, LBW to Kaplan for 10. Klijnhans in, DDC still there on 14*.

Solid start for ACC meanwhile, Rahil finds the rope slotting Fletcher away behind point for four, Knoll still with him.

First wicket of the day falls at Westvliet, Mees van Vliet with a bit of a scattergun over for the fifth with three wides, but has the in-form Ostling caught for just 8. Statham at three.

McInerney picks up the first boundary of the day with a neat little back-foot punch through the covers off Jain for four. Next over he takes two in a row off McKenzie, low full toss clipped away square, then a lovely front foot drive through cover point.

Ostling and Doyle Calle opening for Hermes as usual, van Vliet and Kingma share the new ball for Voorburg.

Fletcher takes the new ball for VRA, Rahil Ahmed and Chris Knoll opening, both off the mark already.

Arnav Jain opens with a maiden to McInerney, McKenzie from the other end, bowling to Staal.

Hermes win the toss at Westvliet and elect to bat.

HCC win the toss and will bat.

VRA win the toss and ‘t Loopveld and invite ACC to bat.