Rod Lyall 20:37
And no sooner does one competition finish than another resumes: there’s a full round of 50-over Topklasse matches tomorrow, and Bertus will be here to bring you all the action (I’ll be winging my way to Scotland for a conference). In the words of London’s Windmill Theatre, ‘We never closed’. But for now, this is Rod Lyall signing off on behalf of the Tkcricket team, and wishing you a very good evening.
An outstanding double for the Rotterdammers, for on the adjacent second ground VOC 2 have won the inaugural Eerste Klasse T20 Cup, chasing down Qui Vive’s 98 for one in a seven-over match and winning by seven wickets. And at Bloemendaal, Hermes-DVS Schiedam beat Quick Haag by 64 runs in a ten-over game to win the Hoofdklasse Cup and ensure that they will be playing in the Topklasse T20 Cup next season. At least they were all settled on the field, in very pleasant late afternoon sunshine.
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC 
82-2 (6 overs)
It doesn’t take long for Berry and Edwards to administer the coup de grâce, Edwards finishing it with a six over long on with two overs to spare. VOC win by eight wickets, to take the Cup for the third successive year. New format, same outcome.
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC
58-2 (4.1 overs)
And finally O’Dowd goes, well caught by Rens van Troost, predictably on the midwicket boundary. With 19 needed, Scott Edwards strides to the crease.
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC
58-1 (4 overs)
Ingram on from the City End, and O’Dowd’s dropped! on the midwicket boundary. Not an easy catch, but that could be the game right there. He rubs it in by smacking the next one over the boundary in more or less the same region. Niels Etman bowls the fourth, and O’Dowd gets away with another one, Hart just getting one hand to it just above the ground as he runs in. And again O’Dowd puts salt in the wound by hitting another six over midwicket. Then he’s dropped again, much more straightforward this time, but it was certainly travelling when it re-entered the earth’s atmosphere. Nothing wrong with the next one, though, clean and clearing the boundary by a distance. A single to deep backward square brings up his 50, off 19 deliveries. Frightening. A four for Berry brings a painful over to a close.
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC
22-1 (2 overs)
Heggelman gets similar treatment, O’Dowd pulling him over midwicket and nearly onto the practice wickets. But he gets Fourie, caught at deep mid-on by Hart, running in from the boundary to take a comfortable catch. Lane Berry in at three, and he nearly chips a return catch off the first ball he receives.
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC
12-0 (1 over)
Blankestijn starts from the City End, bowling to Francois Fourie, again opening with O’Dowd. Who pulls the second delivery to the midwicket boundary, and the fourth into the trees beyond long on. Here be wolves and bears. Not to mention nettles. Given the length of the shadows, it might be better just to get another one. No, they’ve found it. Twelve off it altogether, and Heggelman to bowl the second.
Will that be enough? Excelsior must have been hoping for something in excess of ten an over, but we’ve already seen today how effective their bowling can be when defending a modest total. A lot depends on whether they can pick up early wickets, and especially Max O’Dowd. Here we go!
Excelsior
76-5 (8 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Upadhyaya bowls the last, and Verhagen holes out first ball, de Kok taking a fine catch over his shoulder on the rope at deep midwicket. Etman goes two balls lter caught Edwards, but turns out to be a handy wicket for Excelsior as Rens van Troost comes out and bangs back to back sixes over midwicket and then straight to take Excelsior to 76..
Excelsior
61-3 (7 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
And that’s the big one, Ingram takes a knee to Schoonheim and fails to connect, into the stumps. Niels Etman in. Two balls later Verhagen shows how it’s done, gets low and slams Schoonheim over the long on rope for a massive and much-needed six..
Excelsior
46-2 (6 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Bunted single proves a miscalculation as Upadhyaya collects in his follow through and throws down the stumps, van Troost the victim. Ingram in.
Excelsior
27-1 (3 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Fletcher gives up just eight of the second and last over of the powerplay, which is pretty good in the ciurcumstances. Hoseinbaks on from the city end and does rather better, striking first ball to disarrange Hart’s stumps. Stan van Troost at three, and off the mark with a boundary. Fletcher still from the other end.
Excelsior
8-0 (1 over)
VOC
yet to bat
Excelsior stick with Hart and Verhagen at the top, VOC likewise hand the new ball to Arnav Jain again. Two dots to start on Hart then a single bunted into the on side. Verhagen steals a tight single to extra, then an edge over gully for two and a fine drive straight for four gets Excelsior properly underway. Fletcher from the Mulder’s End.
Excelsior
8-0 (1 over)
VOC
yet to bat
Excelsior stick with Hart and Verhagen at the top, VOC likewise hand the new ball to Arnav Jain again. Two dots to start on Hart then a single bunted into the on side. Verhagen steals a tight single to extra, then an edge over gully for two and a fine drive straight for four gets Excelsior properly underway. Fletcher from the Mulder’s End.
Excelsior
0-0 (0 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Excelsior win the toss and elect to bat. Glorious sunshine now.
Bertus de Jong 18:25
7pm start, toss in 15 minutes’ time, 8 overs each is the word.
And the rain has stopped, blue sky rolling in. VOC boys out to get the covers off. Now just a question of how wet it is out there.
The covers are finally on now. Except for the Mulder’s End run-up again…
It’s raining again, there’s been no toss because they scheduled it for twenty to six. Covers belatedly coming on again, though not with any particular haste. One of the run-ups hasn’t been covered at all since the weather arrived almost an hour ago. If we do get a game in it will be by dumb luck.
Absolutely no sense of urgency here. Been dry a good 15 minutes and they’re not done getting the covers off yet. They’ll have to put the back on in a moment going by the radar. Doesn’t really look like anyone’s prepared for that eventuality either…
Break in the rain for now, covers coming off, though it’s not expected to last. Umpires and VOC skipper Tim de Kok are in the middle. Should be able to get the toss in at least you’d hope. You need two captains for that though, and all the covers off presumably. More rain coming, could get tight…
19:20-ish is the cut-off for a 5-over game we’re told. Don’t follow the reasoning myself but that’s the word. We start losing overs in 9 minutes’time.
The rain has indeed arrived in force, and Excelsior will be the happier team on that front. A washout makes them champions on the basis of group phase standings. The expectation is the weather will clear eventually, but we’ll start losing overs in about 15 minutes’time. Best guess is the cut-off for a 5-over each way game is 19.38. Will get that confirmed as soon as poss.
That was a classic Excelsior strangle, giving absolutely nothing away as they defended a low total, and the result is that they will now (weather permitting) take on holders VOC in the final. And Bertus will be back in a moment to bring you whatever action manages to elude the approaching storm.
Punjab
89 all out (19.1 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Blankestijn back, and although Shafiq drives him back through mid-off for four and Tariq hits him streakily over third man for another, he gets his revenge as Shafiq top-edges his final delivery to Heinsbroek at short extra cover. And it’s Niels Etman who gets the final wicket, as Mubashar Hussain lofts him down the throat of Verhagen at long off. Excelsior win by 33 runs.
Punjab
75-8 (16.5 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Shafiq and Bajwa pick up what they can, but that doesn’t include a single to Luuk Kroesen at backward point, and both batters finish up at the striker’s end. So Bajwa has to go, sacrificing himself to keep Shafiq out there, and Sohail Bhatti joins him in the middle. Not for long, however, as he’s bowled first ball by Verhagen, and Punjab are almost down and out.
Punjab
64-6 (14.3 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
And that, you would think, is probably IT, as Sikander tries to force Verhagen to leg and holes out to Hart at deep midwicket(ish). He had to go for it, but as Mohsin Bajwa joins Shafiq Punjab are left with a mountain to climb.
Punjab
57-5 (12.2 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Four and out for Rehmat, the Golden Arm of Roel Verhagen trapping him in front. The wheels are in danger of falling off properly for Punjab now.
Punjab
52-4 (11.5 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Asad gets away with one, as he swings at Ingram and misses; Van Troost is unable to gather the ball cleanly and Asad survives. Just two off the over, as Punjab fall further behind the rate. They pick up six from Baker’s next, and six from Ingram as Sikander hits him cleanly through mid-off for four. And then Baker gets Asad, caught by Luuk Kroesen at long on as he tries to break the shackles. He made 21, and is succeeded by Rehmat, the Last of the Zulfiqars (though in fact the first . . . ).
Punjab
37-3 (8 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Ingram on from the City End, maintaining the pressure with just three singles from his first over. Umar Baker from the other, as the first drops of the threatened rain begin to fall. No sign of them coming off as yet.
Punjab
27-3 (5.1 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Another one goes: Saqib chases a ball from the left-armer which is angled across him, and edges to Stan van Troost’s right. Good catch by the keeper, and now Punjab are struggling as Sikander Zulfiqar joins Asad.
Punjab
27-2 (5 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Niels Etman bowls a tidy over from Mulder’s End, Heggelman switching to the City End and conceding just two runs from his over. Excelsior are pretty adept at defending low totals, and they’ve made a good start here.
Punjab
20-2 (2.5 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
A wicket for Blankestijn as well, and it’s the dangerous Minhas who gets under another lofted on drive, and Hart runs a long way to pouch the catch. Saqib Zulfiqar joins brother Asad; it’s too early to say Punjab are in trouble, but Excelsior are giving themselves a chance.
Punjab
16-1 (1.5 overs)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
And first blood to Heggelman, as Usman tries to go over the top and holes out to Hart at long on. Asad Zulfiqar in early.
Punjab
12-0 (1 over)
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
Minhas and Yasir Usman open for Punjab, Jens Blankestijn taking the new ball from the City End and 12 coming from his first over. Tom Heggelman from Mulder’s End.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
122-6 (20 overs)
The hundred comes up in the 18th over, bowled by Sohail Bhatti from the City End, along with Ingram’s half-century, from 37 deliveries. They’re former team-mates, but there’s no room for sentiment her, and 11 come from the over. Shafiq back to bowl his last, and just six come from it, including a couple of leg-byes. Heggelman has played a very valuable supporting knock here, making his way to 15*, but it’s Ingram’s 45-ball 61* which has got Excelsior up to a total they might have some prospect of defending.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
93-6 (16 overs)
Shoaib Minhas into the attack, and a much-needed boundary for Excelsior as Heggelman pulls him through mid-on for four. And then Ingram lofts Tariq over long on for six; even so, he finishes his spell with two for 18, despite ten runs coming from his final over. Ingram’s on 44* now, from 33 deliveries.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
76-6 (13.4 overs)
Saqib and Tariq are doing a very good job of restricting the batters to singles and the occasional two, and Excelsior are going to have to up the ante considerably here if they are to set Punjab a reasonably demanding target. Especially since Tariq has just bowled Rens van Troost, bringing Tom Heggelman to the crease.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
64-5 (9.6 overs)
Saqib Zulfiqar on from Mulder’s End, and just a single for Heinsbroek from his over. Hussain bowls out, and Heinsbroek goes large over cow corner for six. Nine off the over, and he finishes with two for 38. Another tidy over from Saqib until he lets his last delivery drift down leg, and Heinsbroek turns it through square leg for four. Sulaiman Tariq from the City End, and he gets the breakthrough, Heinsbroek caught by Rehmat Zulfiqar for 16. Ingram’s still there, joined now by Rens van Troost.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
44-4 (5.4 overs)
And now a second for Hussain, Etman gone without scoring. Rens Heinsbroek joins Ingram, who’s gone on to 25* from 14. Just as well for Excelsior that somebody is.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
34-3 (5 overs)
Another for Shafiq, Van Troost caught by Sohail Bhatti at backward square leg for 5. Niels Etman the next man in.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
15-2 (3 overs)
And Hussain gets a wicket with his fourth ball, Hart unable to get on top of a drive and caught by S Zulfiqar (unable at this stage to tell you which) at cover. Then Shafiq removes Verhagen stumped by Asad Zulfiqar (that one’s easier). Excelsior in early trouble as Stan van Troost joins Lorenzo Ingram in the middle.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
4-0 (1 over)
Muhammad Shafiq takes the first over as usual, bowling from Mulder’s End to Michael Hart, with Roel Verhagen at the non-striker’s end. There’s a big appeal for leg-before first up, and a laugh between Shafiq and Hart once a leg-bye takes him to the other end. Just a trio of singles from the rest of the over. Mubashar Hussain from the City End.
Punjab
yet to bat
Excelsior
0-0 (0 overs)
And that news is that Punjab have won the toss, and Excelsior are batting first.
And I am indeed (virtually) here, ready to bring you the action from the second semi-final. No news of the toss as yet, but we’ll bring it to you when we have it.
So VOC through to the final in pretty convincing fashion, even with minimal contributions from O’Dowd and Berry the batting looked pretty formidable, particularly impressive from Fourie at the top. HCC got on top of the VOC bowling at points, butthe Bloodhounds stuck at it and pulled them back to what proved a demonstrably insuufficient total. They’ve one foot in Cartama again, but will have to wait on their opponents now. Excelsior and Punjab are already warming up, second semi coming up, and the sun’s out here at VRA now too. Meanhwile word from Bloemendaal is that Quick Haag have rolled Kampong for 91 to claim their place in the Hoofdklasse final, where they’ll be joined by either Rood en Wit or Hermes. Rod should be along shortly to take you through the afternoon’s action, so from me it’s goodbye for now.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
155-4 (18.3 overs)
And in a trice it’s done. Overdijk from the city end, single to de Kok, then Edwards produces another bullet drive through mid off that gets through man, next ball is put way through long on and VOC win by six wickets with nine balls to spare.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
146-4 (18 overs)
De Kok gets a sweep away for four, though must be said his partner’s cautious approach to running between the wickets today stands in stark contrast to his habits in orange, looks to be carrying a niggle of some sort. Crowley from the city end now, de Kok charges and flat bats him over mid off for a one-bounce four. Three balls later and Edwards saves his legs with a glorious cover drive for four more. Floyd switches with Doram again, five singles and a rare two as Edwards chips straight into space. No rush from here with just 9 needed.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
122-4 (15 overs)
Floyd takes over from Doram and brings an end to a fine knock from Fourie, who comes down the track but can only edge high to short third. Tim de Kok in to join Edwards, who’s rather struggling to find his usual fluency. Just two runs off the over. Charumbira from the city end, picket fence. HCC just dragging it back here these last few overs but VOC still well in front. Doram back, 33 needed off the last five.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
114-3 (13 overs)
Another wicket against the run of play, Niaz looking to uppercut Crowley but can only spoon it up for Patel at deep point. Edwards joins Fourie, who goes to fifty scooping the last ball of the over for four through fine leg. Doram back and very tidy from him, gives up just three from the 12th. And the carousel continues as Overdijk returns at the City end, looks for the bouncer to Fourie but he’s seeing it too well now, pulled away high over backward square.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
92-2 (10 overs)
Again the big wicket has done little to slow the scoring, Fourie especially warming to his work as he lifts FLoyd over the long on rope and into the water trap. He’s into the forties now, run rate still over nines. Pitch only looks to be getting better to bat on, and the outfield seems to be quickening too.Crowley back from the City End..
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
59-2 (7 overs)
And something they get, third ball of the seventh and Berry looks to put Overdijk away over midwicket again, but doesn’t have the legs. Staal makes good ground from deep square to to take the catch on the slide. Niaz in..
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
56-1 (6 overs)
O’Dowd’s departure has done little to slow the scoring, Fourie thumping Charumbira for six over long on and Berry doing the same to Crowley first ball of the sixth. He’s reprieved next pall though, a top-edged pull put down at mid on, could prove expensive. VOC going at over nines, HCC need something here. Overdijk back.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
30-1 (3 overs)
Overdijk takes the new ball for HCC, Fourie and O’Dowd opening. Three cautious singles before O’Dowd opens up, trademark lofted drive over long off for six. Fourie finds the rope at backward square off the final ball too, 14 off it. Crowley from the other end goes a bit better, but it’s taken VOC just 9 balls to equal HCC’s powerplay score as O’Dowd forces a put well in front of point for four and then collects a couple tucking a shorter ball behind square off the hip. Charumbira replaces Overdijk and is pulled for four first ball, but bags the big wicket three balls later, O’Dowd going hard across the line and a leading edge loops up for Doram at mid on, and held. Berry in, Doram into the attack.
A solid score after a slow start for HCC, 154 runs coming in an innings that saw the initiative pinballing back-and forth between the two teams throughout. Half-century for Staal and an entertaining cameo from Overdijk provided the bulk of the impetus, while Gorlee’s stop-go innings added 35 valuable runs. But a miserly powerplay effort from Jain and Fletcher combined with a fine fight-back at the death has probably put VOC marginally ahead. Certainly they were the smiling side at the break, Upadhyaya claiming the third hat-trick of the competition (thanks, Rod) joining Shafiq and van Vliet on that section of the season’s honours board.
HCC
154-8 (20 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
An eventful final over as the momentum keeps swinging back and forth. Seven off the first three balls before Upadhyaya castles Floyd, Doram in and holes out to deep midwicket first ball, then Charumbira follows suit, Jain taking an excellent tumbling catch over his head on the rope. Hat-trick to finish, 155 will be the target..
HCC
148-5 (19 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Upadhyaya and Schoonheim wresting the momentum back for VOC again, The former has Patel caught at long on by O’Dowd, the latter gives up just five from the penultimate over. Floyd in with Kloppenburg for the last as HCC look for a final flourish.
HCC
136-4 (17 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Overdijk looked to have the VOC attack by the scruff of the neck, dumping Hoseinbaks inside-out over extra for six and then sweeping hard for a one-bouncer through square, but last ball of the 16th he shuffles across and down the track and a fuller ball yorks him, through to the keeper and the bails are off behind him. He goes for 26 off 10. Gorlee follows in the next, holing out off Jain for 35. Floyd and Patel in for the last three.
HCC
115-2 (15 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Staal brings up his half century driving Schoonheim for two to long off, but is bowled round his legs by Hoseinbaks in the next for 53. Overdijk in and start with a booming six over midwicket, then an all-run four off a thick outside edge to deep third. Schoonheim loses his line in the next, trio of wides and after a slow start HCC are taking charge of the match.
HCC
80-1 (12 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Niaz’ economy takes a battering in the 12th, Staal puts him into the drink over long on, then two balls later Gorlee reverse-sweeps him for six somehow. Serious shot that. Goes again and collexts four more, and Niaz has overstepped too. No connectuion on the free hit but HCC suddenly on for a score here now. Schoonheim into the attack.
HCC
50-1 (10 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
Tonny Staal looking to turn up the tempo, drives Hoseinbaks for four through the covers, then puts him into the sight screen in his next over. Niaz keeping things tight at the other end, inadvertantly aided by Staal who can’t evade a straight drive from Gorlee at the other end and cops a bit of a blow while saving four..
HCC
21-1 (6 overs)
VOC
yet to bat
A maiden to start from Arnav Jain rather set the tone for the powerplay, neither Staal nor Alphonse managing to fiond the middle or the gaps. The runs rate is stuk at a crawl and Alphonse succumbs to the pressure, looping edge off Fletcher held by Edwards in the deep.Hoseinbaks on as the field spreads.
Good morning all and welcome to out T20 final’s day coverage, apologies for the slight delay, something of a communications mix-up at our end. But I’m here at bthe Bos now and with a little luck the weather may even hold for the day. Warm and muggy for the moment, VOC have won the toss in the first semi-final and invited HCC to bat, which they are doing with an overabundance of caution.
TKcricket 