Rod Lyall 14:29
It’s been a long and at times frustrating day, but there’s been a result in all five matches that got a start, with Voorburg claiming two victories and Hermes-DVS, HBS and Sparta one apiece. A myriad of overseas players have had their first experience of the Dutch competition, two of them marking the occasion with a century – congratulations to Christoffel Klijnhans (Hermes) and Riley Mudford (Sparta) on that achievement. I’ll be away in more southerly climes for the next three weeks, leaving you in the expert hands of Bertus de Jong, and we shall do our best to keep you posted with all the news as this T20 Cup competition develops. For now, it’s good evening from me.
Sparta
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
128-7 (17.3 overs)Indeed, two sixes for Molenaar off Baker reduce the deficit to three from three overs, and although Tom Hoornweg traps De Leede in front with the first ball of the next Boissevain picks up a single and Molenaar plays the next to the extra cover boundary to finish with a 13-ball 28 and ensure Voorburg win by three wickets.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
108-6 (16 overs)While that’s been going on, Sparta have been mounting an a fightback. Malik’s picked up De Lange and Snoep has removed Ryan Klein, and then Ahmadi has trapped Croes in front for 23 and bowled Tom de Leede without scoring. Even that, though, is unlikely to be enough: Voorburg only need 17 from the last four overs with Molenaar and Stijn de Leede at the crease.
HBS
121-5 (11/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Barresi goes after Abid, 4 – 6 – 4 – dot – 6, and now HBS are almost cruising him. 16 needed from the last 12 deliveries. Fletcher back from the Scoreboard End, and Klein takes him for two fours before holing out to Shariz at long on again. But his 27 from 8 deliveries have pretty much settled the issue, and only five more are needed. A brace for Lo Bianco leaves three to get from Eales’s last. Barresi takes a single, then two dots to Lo Bianco before he spears one to extra cover for a single. Barresi takes what ought to have been the winning run, but perplexingly the game continues for Lo Bianco to take another single to midwicket. Retrospectively, the target is changed to 121, which might perhaps explain the confusion. But however you cut it, HBS win by five wickets.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
85-2 (11 overs)Baker gets the breakthrough, Levitt playing a rather unconvincing prod and edging to Mudford. But that brings Croes in to join Gigani, who has played an absolute blinder. He absolutely deserves a fifty, but when Malik returns he slices him to Martina at deep third man and has to go for 49, made from 31 deliveries. Cedric de Lange in to join Croes.
84-4 (8/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)De Villiers fancies this, twice heaving Shariz over the legside boundary to put HBS back in front on DLS. 18 off the over in total. But when he tries to do the same to Singh he finds Shariz himself at long on, and the young man gets a kind of revenge for that rough treatment. Kyle Klein continues the punishment, however, lofting the first ball he receives over midwicket for another six, the third over long on for another and the last of the over beyond midwicket, and despite the wicket HBS are well ahead of the rate.
47-3 (6/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Ashir Abid gets into the act, as Botha tries to hammer him straight back over his head, gets under it a little, and it drops short, into the hands of Fletcher. Barresi into join De Villiers, and at the six-over mark we’re guaranteed a result. HBS currently a tad behind on DLS.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
47-0 (6 overs)Gigani, combining some lusty blows with subtler nuances, has taken the initiative at the Bermweg, moving on to 31* from 20, while Levitt is proceeding more quietly. Still no wicket, and this game is drifting away from Sparta.
37-2 (4/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)The tall left-armer Ben Fletcher gets the absolutely vital wicket of Walbrugh, who hits him for four but then swings at one which is going down leg and edges to keeper Prince, who is wearing some kind of balaclava. One can scarcely blame the lad from Sint Maarten. Then Singh, from the Scoreboard End, catches Mason’s edge and Prince runs back a long way to take the overhead catch. HBS are up with the rate, but the loss of Walbrugh is a blow. Matthew de Villiers joins Botha.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
20-0 (3 overs)Levitt and Gigani have started fairly sedately against Malik and Ahmadi, but the target is relatively modest and they can afford to see off the dangerous Malik.
24-0 (2/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)They are, in any case, back in the middle, Tayo Walbrugh and Reece Mason opening against Clayton Floyd and Eales. Walbrugh races to 16 from 8, twice sending Eales to the boundary, but it’s a big ask.
0-0 (0/13 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)The covers are off again at Craeyenhout, and the VRA innings has come to an end. HBS will have an adjusted target of 139 from 13 overs. Or possibly 120 from 11 overs.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAhmadi gets to 25 before holing out to Molenaar off Levitt, and then Kingma returns to remove Manminder Singh, who swings but gets an edge and sees his off stump go flying. Then another stumping by Croes, this one apparently plotted with bowler Levitt, accounts for Malik, and the Sparta innings subsides rather. But Baker and Snoep survive Van Vliet’s final over, and they finish on 125 for eight. It’s been a struggle.
yet to batVRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Sheikh’s gone, stumped by Lo Bianco off De Villiers, and Elijah Eales joins Shariz. Together they inflict some heavy punishment on Venter, first Shariz hammering him away over cow and then Eales adding two more, both into the same corner. He does the same to De Villiers, pulling him high over square leg, and this is a very useful stand for the Amsterdammers. Then the rain returns.
94-5 (14.3 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe rain’s back at the Bermweg, Ahmadi having contributed a breezy, 11-ball 21*. Voorburg still have the edge, but a lot depends on how much longer Sparta will have to bat.
66-4 (11 overs)Voorburg
yet to batGigani does for Martina, who dances down the wicket swinging, misses, and gives Croes one of the easier stumpings of his career. Khalid Ahmadi in to join Malik, and Voorburg now definitely have the upper hand. Ahmadi hits a mean ball, however, despatching Tom de Leede for a straight six.
yet to batVRA
100-4 (11 overs)Sunshine at Craeyenhout (could be a catchy first line for a song . . .), where VRA do indeed get a Dechance to add to their total, Prince and Sheikh continuing where they left off. Prince, however, falls to De Mey for 31, and Shariz Ahmad joins Sheikh in the middle.
66-4 (11 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe interruption at the Bermweg doesn’t last long, and as soon as they’re back Balwantsingh is run out by a direct hit by Molenaar, bringing Ahsan Malik in to join Martina, who’s now moved on to 34*.
yet to batVRA
74-3 (7.4 overs)On the other hand, the covers are off at Craeyenhout, and we await developments. Calculator, slide-rule, abacus and logarithm time, as the umpires work out whether VRA will get to add to their tally, and/or how many overs HBS will get to chase whatever DLS target the system generates.
44-3 (7.5 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnother top edge as Raza, swinging across the line at Molenaar, holes out to Kingma at long on. Balwantsingh, though, gets off the mark by swinging him over fine leg for six. He takes a four off Gigani as well, but as he does so all hell breaks loose weather-wise, and the players are forced from the field.
27-2 (5 overs)Voorburg
yet to batNo sooner do I write that than Ferguson gets under a Kingma bouncer, the ball goes straight up, and Croes does the rest. Then Van Vliet grabs the vital wicket of Riley Mudford, skying a drive to Tom de Leede at long on, and Voorburg are starting to get on top.Martina’s still there, joined now by Ali Raza.
17-0 (3 overs)Voorburg
yet to batA solid start by Martina and Ferguson for Sparta against Kingma and Van Vliet.
yet to batVRA
74-3 (7.4 overs)Henrico Venter gets his first wicket for his new club, Singh belting him over cow for six but getting under the next and skying it to Barresi on the midwicket boundary. His 32 came from 17 deliveries, and his departure brings another newcomer, Abul Khaiar Sheikh (a.k.a. Abul Biblop), to the crease. He’s just getting a start when the rain intervenes again.
yet to batVRA
53-2 (6 overs)Nidamanuru didn’t last long, hitting a boundary and then falling to a catch by Julien de Mey off Matthew de Villiers. Singh, batting now with Semari Prince, effortlessly lifts Botha over the midwicket boundary. De Mey into the attack, Prince easing him to the extra cover boundary and then swinging him away behind square.
0-0 (0 overs)Voorburg
yet to batSparta have won the toss at the Bermweg, and will bat first in the final game of the day. Both sides are unchanged from those which played Salland.
yet to batVRA
16-1 (2 overs)Vikram Singh and Shirase Rasool open for VRA as usual, Lehan Botha taking the new ball for HBS. He’s pretty sharp, his second delivery too quick not only for Singh but for the keeper as well, and it goes for four byes. Or voorbij, as the Dutch say. Then Singh finds the range, smacking the first six of the match. A string of wides from Kyle Klein don’t help the HBS cause, but it looks to be cold and windy at Craeyenhout – not great conditions for a pace bowler! All is forgiven, however, when he traps Rasool in front, bringing Teja Nidamanuru in to join Singh.
yet to batVRA
0-0 (0 overs)Indeed, HBS have won the toss and put VRA in. Overs will have come off after that rain delay, but we’re not sure how many.
Salland
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
121-3 (12.2 overs)Just as the win seems assured James Ridley gets a consolation wicket, getting Croes caught by the skipper for a 29-ball 47. Young Cedric de Lange joins Gigani in one of those hiding-to-nothing situations; he gets off the mark with a boundary, but with two needed he’s removed by Usmanzai as Salland keep up the fight to the bitter end. Gigani levels the scores to finish with 44 not our from 30, and then Ryan Klein takes the winning run to ensure that Voorburg win by 7 wickets.
yet to batVRA
yet to batAnd the covers are coming off at Craeyenhout!!! And it looks as if VRA might be going to have a bat . . .
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
107-1 (10 overs)Gigani and Croes are proceeding inexorably in tandem at the Bermweg, and nothing Ganesan tries seems to have much effect. A brace of sixes off Talha Khan, one apiece for the batters, brings up the hundred, and now only 14 are required for a Voorburg victory.
yet to batVRA
yet to batWe’re not sure what’s happened tosswise, but the HBS players are currently wrestling with the covers, so looks as if we’ll have a delay at Craeyenhout. And indeed, light rain appears to be falling, although there are also signs of sunshine. Welcome to a Dutch spring!
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
59-1 (6 overs)Gigani and Croes looking comfortable enough, pushing on against Malikzai, Gopinath and now Elam Bharathi, Gopinath conceding 15 off his third over as both batters decide to take him on. And Voorburg are halfway to their target inside the powerplay.
yet to batVRA
yet to batWe hope to have some news from Craeyenhout soon, where HBS are about to take on VRA in a game which is a mouth-watering prospect.
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
25-1 (3 overs)Michael Levitt goes after Gopinath, smacking him for six and four, but then the bowler gets his revenge as he goes, caught by Elam Bharathi, for an 8-ball 16. Voorburg off to a flyer, with Croes joining Gigani at the crease.
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
yet to batElam Bharathi and Malikzai take it through to the end, although the former is run out by a direct hit from Molenaar as he pushes for a second off the final delivery. So Salland manage exactly six an over, and they’ll have to bowl out of their skins if they are to defend that against this Voorburg batting line-up.
105-6 (18 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnd suddenly Pruss launches, smacking two fours and two sixes in a single Levitt over. With five wides, that’s 25 off it, exactly what Salland so desperately needed. Another six, this time off Van Vliet, takes Pruss to a maiden half-century, but he edges the next delivery to Noah Croes and departs for 52, off 49 balls. He’s given his side just the faintest sniff of a chance.
64-5 (15 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe boundaries had dried up completely, but Pruss manages to hit one off Michael Molenaar, and as long as he and Elam Bharathi are together there’s some prospect of a half-decent total. Strikingly, though, Ryan Klein has not yet had a bowl.
43-5 (10 overs)Voorburg
yet to batNehaan Gigani into the attack, and he immediately gets the breakthrough, Khan caught by Stijn de Leede for 15. Two balls later Babar Lasi follows, another catch for Boissevain. This is turning into a miserable start to the season for Salland. Tom de Leede, too, has immediate success, bowling Usmanzai with his second delivery. Pruss is still there, joined now by Elam Bharathi, but at the halfway mark the men from Deventer (and points east) face a battle to get much over a hundred. Which seems unlikely to be anywhere near enough.
32-2 (6 overs)Voorburg
yet to batKingma strikes: Ottachchige caught by Laurens Boissevain without scoring. Khan and Pruss thereafter largely intent on surviving the powerplay, although when Michael Levitt comes into the attack the former celebrates by lofting him for six. It’s a foundation, but Salland will need to pick up the tempo if they’re to set a defendable target.
14-1 (2 overs)Voorburg
yet to batGanesan takes a four off Viv Kingma’s opening over, but Mees van Vliet removes him, caught by Tom de Leede (younger brother of Bas, and I swear this is the last time I’ll mention that), in the second. Another poor start for Salland, as Talha Ahmed Khan comes in to join Piyaranga Ottachchige. And immediately despatches Van Vliet to the boundary.
0-0 (0 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnd the news is that Salland have won the toss and elected to have a bat.
At this point Excelsior should have been taking on VOC, but as we noted earlier, the games at Thurlede were called off last night because of the unfitness of the ground. So the only game in town right now will be that between Salland and Voorburg at the Bermweg, with two more matches to follow at 16:00. Stay with us, and we’ll bring you the toss as soon as we have it.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
84 a.o. (19.3 overs)A little show of resistance from Malikzai, but after losing Rajendran to a catch by Mudford off Khalid Ahmadzai he spoons an easy return catch to Balwantsingh, and when Tom Hoornweg yorks Gopinath as he attempts a vert ambitious slog-sweep it’s all over, and Sparta win by 160 runs.
Hermes DVS
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
77-2 (10.2 overs)The match at Loopuyt Oval has been abandoned, Hermes-DVS marking their return to the top flight with a pretty comfortable DLS victory. Not sure of the exact margin, but it will be of the order of 45 or so. Christoffel Klijnhans the undoubted star, but well supported by Daniel Doyle, with Sebastiaan Braat chipping in towards the end.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
61-7 (15 overs)Skipper Martijn Snoep comes on from the Pavilion End for Sparta, and in his second over he gets Elam Bharathi, chasing a wide one and edging to keeper Mudford. In his next he gets Lasi leg-before (having been left deeply disappointed, nay, wounded to the quick, when a similar appeal was turned down in his first over. With debutants Praveen Rajendran and Shahir Malikzai now together Salland are on the ropes and just about down and out.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
77-2 (10.2 overs)HCC, meanwhile, in their own version of Mission-Well-nigh-Impossible, had reached 71 for two at the half-way mark, needing a mere 17 an over in the back half. Gorlee smacked Olivier Elenbaas for six over long on to move to 24*, but by the time they retrieved the ball the heavens had opened, and the covers are now on. A bleak outlook in more ways than one, although Hermes can be pleased with what they’ve achieved so far.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
38-5 (10 overs)It’s all over, really, at the Bermweg, Salland needing 20 an over in the final ten and half the side aleady gone. Lasi and Elam Bharathi are picking up a few token runs, but it’s more about limiting the NRR damage – which is pretty certainly going to be considerable – than about anything approximating a run-chase. Ahsan Malik finished with four for 19 from his four overs, and that really settled the issue.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
54-2 (7 overs)HCC have lost Tonny Staal, who takes on Dutt and slices a catch to Ashley Ostling at point. And now Charumbira’s gone for 21, lofting Olivier Elenbaas into the hands of Dutt at extra cover. Jed Wiggins joins Boris Gorlee in the middle.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
22-5 (6 overs)Salland making life very difficult for themselves, as Talha Ahmed is run out when Pruss calls him through for a quick single and Ferguson’s return from cover is too quick for Ahmed’s despairing dive. Then Malik’s too wily for the youngster Pruss, who can only send a looping catch to Ali Raza at deep mid-off when the ball takes him high on the bat. Babar Lasi and Saqibullah Usmanzai together now – or they were until Usmanzai becomes Malik’s fourth victim, caught by Balwantsingh for 9. Salland in all sorts.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
14-0 (2 overs)Spin at both ends to start at Harga, Dutt and Ekrami sharing the new ball. Charumbira and Staal opening for HCC, and the latter finds the first six lofting the left-armer over long off. HCC already off the pace though at sevens off the first two.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
9-2 (2 overs)They’re back on at Bermweg and Salland are one down already, as Ahsan Malik has Piyaranga caught deep backward square. Talha Khan joins Ganesan, but the partnership lasts just four balls as the Salland skipper carves Malik into the hands of cover point. Pruss at 4.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
yet to batAnd Hermes’ onslaught is complete at Harga too, seems we lost an over aside owing to the early delay. Braat finishes unbeaten on 43 off 19, Teun Leijer’s 2-31 in 3 the best of a pretty ugly bowling card.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
yet to batMalikzai picks up two in the final over, Raza failing to clear deep square leg and then Ferguson losing his legg stump to an excellent yorker on the final ball, but his 44-ball 75 coupled with Mudford’s earlier fireworks has lifted Sparta to an imposing 244-4 at the break.
226-3 (18 overs)HCC
yet to batLeijer has another at Harga, Aryan Dutt holing out after an all-too-brief debut, but Hermes show no signs of slowing. Braat in on the act now putting Overdijk back over his head for six, he’s raced to 29 off 13, DCC into the 70s But that’s as far as he’ll ger, Braat is repreived as Patel shells a skier behind the stumps, but Crowley gets Doyale-Calle next ball looking to lap a straight one fine and bwoled for 73. Ostling in.
218-2 (17 overs)Salland
yet to batNew Salland skipper Venkat Ganesan finally puts a stop to the carnage at Bermeweg, sneaking one under Mudford’s swing to bowl him for a 45-ball 135. Raza in, Ferguson on 66*.
189-1 (15 overs)Salland
yet to batMeanwhile Mudford’s brought up his ton too, and follows the theme of the day by bringing up the milestone with a staight six off the hapless Gopinath. Fifty for Ferguson too, Salland look out of ideas.
179-1 (13 overs)HCC
yet to batKlijnhans finally departs for 114 off 45, it’s young Yeun Leijer that gets him edging behind on the cut. Dutt in to join DDC, who goes to fifty next over lofting Adam Leonard’s medium pace for a straight six. 22 off the over in the end, Hermes aren’t slowing down.
132-0 (10.1 overs)HCC
yet to batAnd a century on debut for CP Klijnhans, brought up off just forty balls as he whips an inoccuous offspinner from Jed Wiggins round the corner for four. DDC still with him, but mostly been a spectator with 28 off 21 to his name.
112-1 (10 overs)Salland
yet to batSparta ticking along at a comparatively sedate nine an over at Bermweg, Mudford and Ferguson still together, both in the mid thirties. Or rather they were, at the start of that over, but Mudford takes Elam Barathi entirely apart in the tenth. Four sixes, 28 off it altogether, Mudford on to 62 and Salland in shambles.
77-0 (6 overs)HCC
yet to batOver at Harga CP Klijnhans is enjoying his first outing for Hermes. They’re on the mat there too but Klijnhans doesn’t seem to mind at all, taking four consecutive sixes off Hidde Overdijk on his way to a 21-ball 50. Daniel Doyle Calle out there with him and Hermes off to a flier.
39-1 (5.1 overs)Salland
yet to batFirst boundary of the season comes from the bat of the prodigal Shaquille Martina, a fetching wristy drive for four through extra of James Ridley. It’s Martina’s first season back in top flight Dutch cricket in a decade, last playing for VOC as a teenager. He and Sam Ferguson, who’s back for the T20s at least is seems are making fine progress at Bermweg, though it’s very much the latter driving the scoring as he lifts Gopinath for six over cow. No Lubbers or vd Molen for Salland today, Malikzai and Pruss on debut. Also on debut is Riley Mudford, who now comes to the crease as Martina is caught off Ridley shanking an outside edge high toward deep third and now becomes the first wicket of the season too.
Excelsior
yet to batPunjab
yet to batSeems all of the day’s play at Thurlede was called off yesterday already, unilaterally by Excelsior it appears. Can they do that? I don’t think they can do that…
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsHelaas. Geen cricket morgen. pic.twitter.com/1QbCCkkqM5
— Excelsior'20.⚽🏏 (@excelsior20) April 19, 2024
yet to batPunjab
yet to batNo cricket expected at all th Thurlede today though we gather. Not clear if the games have been called off or relocated…
0-0 (0 overs)HCC
yet to batHCC have won the toss and elected to field too, but the covers are back on at the Loopuyt though, waiting game in Schiedam.
0-0 (0 overs)Salland
yet to batFirst toss news, Salland win the toss at Bermweg and will bowl first.
Bertus de Jong 09:48
Good Morning all and welcome back for another season of Ducth domestic cricket with us at TK, hope you’ve all enjoyed the winter break. An all T20 start for the first few weeks then, and an action-packed opening day ahead of us. Should have some toss news for you shortly, in the meantime there’s still time to skimg the Round 1 Preview andget your fantasy team sorted.
It’s been a long and at times frustrating day, but there’s been a result in all five matches that got a start, with Voorburg claiming two victories and Hermes-DVS, HBS and Sparta one apiece. A myriad of overseas players have had their first experience of the Dutch competition, two of them marking the occasion with a century – congratulations to Christoffel Klijnhans (Hermes) and Riley Mudford (Sparta) on that achievement. I’ll be away in more southerly climes for the next three weeks, leaving you in the expert hands of Bertus de Jong, and we shall do our best to keep you posted with all the news as this T20 Cup competition develops. For now, it’s good evening from me.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
128-7 (17.3 overs)Indeed, two sixes for Molenaar off Baker reduce the deficit to three from three overs, and although Tom Hoornweg traps De Leede in front with the first ball of the next Boissevain picks up a single and Molenaar plays the next to the extra cover boundary to finish with a 13-ball 28 and ensure Voorburg win by three wickets.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
108-6 (16 overs)While that’s been going on, Sparta have been mounting an a fightback. Malik’s picked up De Lange and Snoep has removed Ryan Klein, and then Ahmadi has trapped Croes in front for 23 and bowled Tom de Leede without scoring. Even that, though, is unlikely to be enough: Voorburg only need 17 from the last four overs with Molenaar and Stijn de Leede at the crease.
121-5 (11/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Barresi goes after Abid, 4 – 6 – 4 – dot – 6, and now HBS are almost cruising him. 16 needed from the last 12 deliveries. Fletcher back from the Scoreboard End, and Klein takes him for two fours before holing out to Shariz at long on again. But his 27 from 8 deliveries have pretty much settled the issue, and only five more are needed. A brace for Lo Bianco leaves three to get from Eales’s last. Barresi takes a single, then two dots to Lo Bianco before he spears one to extra cover for a single. Barresi takes what ought to have been the winning run, but perplexingly the game continues for Lo Bianco to take another single to midwicket. Retrospectively, the target is changed to 121, which might perhaps explain the confusion. But however you cut it, HBS win by five wickets.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
85-2 (11 overs)Baker gets the breakthrough, Levitt playing a rather unconvincing prod and edging to Mudford. But that brings Croes in to join Gigani, who has played an absolute blinder. He absolutely deserves a fifty, but when Malik returns he slices him to Martina at deep third man and has to go for 49, made from 31 deliveries. Cedric de Lange in to join Croes.
84-4 (8/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)De Villiers fancies this, twice heaving Shariz over the legside boundary to put HBS back in front on DLS. 18 off the over in total. But when he tries to do the same to Singh he finds Shariz himself at long on, and the young man gets a kind of revenge for that rough treatment. Kyle Klein continues the punishment, however, lofting the first ball he receives over midwicket for another six, the third over long on for another and the last of the over beyond midwicket, and despite the wicket HBS are well ahead of the rate.
47-3 (6/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Ashir Abid gets into the act, as Botha tries to hammer him straight back over his head, gets under it a little, and it drops short, into the hands of Fletcher. Barresi into join De Villiers, and at the six-over mark we’re guaranteed a result. HBS currently a tad behind on DLS.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
47-0 (6 overs)Gigani, combining some lusty blows with subtler nuances, has taken the initiative at the Bermweg, moving on to 31* from 20, while Levitt is proceeding more quietly. Still no wicket, and this game is drifting away from Sparta.
37-2 (4/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)The tall left-armer Ben Fletcher gets the absolutely vital wicket of Walbrugh, who hits him for four but then swings at one which is going down leg and edges to keeper Prince, who is wearing some kind of balaclava. One can scarcely blame the lad from Sint Maarten. Then Singh, from the Scoreboard End, catches Mason’s edge and Prince runs back a long way to take the overhead catch. HBS are up with the rate, but the loss of Walbrugh is a blow. Matthew de Villiers joins Botha.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
20-0 (3 overs)Levitt and Gigani have started fairly sedately against Malik and Ahmadi, but the target is relatively modest and they can afford to see off the dangerous Malik.
24-0 (2/11 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)They are, in any case, back in the middle, Tayo Walbrugh and Reece Mason opening against Clayton Floyd and Eales. Walbrugh races to 16 from 8, twice sending Eales to the boundary, but it’s a big ask.
0-0 (0/13 overs)VRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)The covers are off again at Craeyenhout, and the VRA innings has come to an end. HBS will have an adjusted target of 139 from 13 overs. Or possibly 120 from 11 overs.
125-8 (20 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAhmadi gets to 25 before holing out to Molenaar off Levitt, and then Kingma returns to remove Manminder Singh, who swings but gets an edge and sees his off stump go flying. Then another stumping by Croes, this one apparently plotted with bowler Levitt, accounts for Malik, and the Sparta innings subsides rather. But Baker and Snoep survive Van Vliet’s final over, and they finish on 125 for eight. It’s been a struggle.
yet to batVRA
140-5 (13.4 overs)Sheikh’s gone, stumped by Lo Bianco off De Villiers, and Elijah Eales joins Shariz. Together they inflict some heavy punishment on Venter, first Shariz hammering him away over cow and then Eales adding two more, both into the same corner. He does the same to De Villiers, pulling him high over square leg, and this is a very useful stand for the Amsterdammers. Then the rain returns.
94-5 (14.3 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe rain’s back at the Bermweg, Ahmadi having contributed a breezy, 11-ball 21*. Voorburg still have the edge, but a lot depends on how much longer Sparta will have to bat.
66-4 (11 overs)Voorburg
yet to batGigani does for Martina, who dances down the wicket swinging, misses, and gives Croes one of the easier stumpings of his career. Khalid Ahmadi in to join Malik, and Voorburg now definitely have the upper hand. Ahmadi hits a mean ball, however, despatching Tom de Leede for a straight six.
yet to batVRA
100-4 (11 overs)Sunshine at Craeyenhout (could be a catchy first line for a song . . .), where VRA do indeed get a Dechance to add to their total, Prince and Sheikh continuing where they left off. Prince, however, falls to De Mey for 31, and Shariz Ahmad joins Sheikh in the middle.
66-4 (11 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe interruption at the Bermweg doesn’t last long, and as soon as they’re back Balwantsingh is run out by a direct hit by Molenaar, bringing Ahsan Malik in to join Martina, who’s now moved on to 34*.
yet to batVRA
74-3 (7.4 overs)On the other hand, the covers are off at Craeyenhout, and we await developments. Calculator, slide-rule, abacus and logarithm time, as the umpires work out whether VRA will get to add to their tally, and/or how many overs HBS will get to chase whatever DLS target the system generates.
44-3 (7.5 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnother top edge as Raza, swinging across the line at Molenaar, holes out to Kingma at long on. Balwantsingh, though, gets off the mark by swinging him over fine leg for six. He takes a four off Gigani as well, but as he does so all hell breaks loose weather-wise, and the players are forced from the field.
27-2 (5 overs)Voorburg
yet to batNo sooner do I write that than Ferguson gets under a Kingma bouncer, the ball goes straight up, and Croes does the rest. Then Van Vliet grabs the vital wicket of Riley Mudford, skying a drive to Tom de Leede at long on, and Voorburg are starting to get on top.Martina’s still there, joined now by Ali Raza.
17-0 (3 overs)Voorburg
yet to batA solid start by Martina and Ferguson for Sparta against Kingma and Van Vliet.
yet to batVRA
74-3 (7.4 overs)Henrico Venter gets his first wicket for his new club, Singh belting him over cow for six but getting under the next and skying it to Barresi on the midwicket boundary. His 32 came from 17 deliveries, and his departure brings another newcomer, Abul Khaiar Sheikh (a.k.a. Abul Biblop), to the crease. He’s just getting a start when the rain intervenes again.
yet to batVRA
53-2 (6 overs)Nidamanuru didn’t last long, hitting a boundary and then falling to a catch by Julien de Mey off Matthew de Villiers. Singh, batting now with Semari Prince, effortlessly lifts Botha over the midwicket boundary. De Mey into the attack, Prince easing him to the extra cover boundary and then swinging him away behind square.
0-0 (0 overs)Voorburg
yet to batSparta have won the toss at the Bermweg, and will bat first in the final game of the day. Both sides are unchanged from those which played Salland.
yet to batVRA
16-1 (2 overs)Vikram Singh and Shirase Rasool open for VRA as usual, Lehan Botha taking the new ball for HBS. He’s pretty sharp, his second delivery too quick not only for Singh but for the keeper as well, and it goes for four byes. Or voorbij, as the Dutch say. Then Singh finds the range, smacking the first six of the match. A string of wides from Kyle Klein don’t help the HBS cause, but it looks to be cold and windy at Craeyenhout – not great conditions for a pace bowler! All is forgiven, however, when he traps Rasool in front, bringing Teja Nidamanuru in to join Singh.
yet to batVRA
0-0 (0 overs)Indeed, HBS have won the toss and put VRA in. Overs will have come off after that rain delay, but we’re not sure how many.
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
121-3 (12.2 overs)Just as the win seems assured James Ridley gets a consolation wicket, getting Croes caught by the skipper for a 29-ball 47. Young Cedric de Lange joins Gigani in one of those hiding-to-nothing situations; he gets off the mark with a boundary, but with two needed he’s removed by Usmanzai as Salland keep up the fight to the bitter end. Gigani levels the scores to finish with 44 not our from 30, and then Ryan Klein takes the winning run to ensure that Voorburg win by 7 wickets.
yet to batVRA
yet to batAnd the covers are coming off at Craeyenhout!!! And it looks as if VRA might be going to have a bat . . .
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
107-1 (10 overs)Gigani and Croes are proceeding inexorably in tandem at the Bermweg, and nothing Ganesan tries seems to have much effect. A brace of sixes off Talha Khan, one apiece for the batters, brings up the hundred, and now only 14 are required for a Voorburg victory.
yet to batVRA
yet to batWe’re not sure what’s happened tosswise, but the HBS players are currently wrestling with the covers, so looks as if we’ll have a delay at Craeyenhout. And indeed, light rain appears to be falling, although there are also signs of sunshine. Welcome to a Dutch spring!
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
59-1 (6 overs)Gigani and Croes looking comfortable enough, pushing on against Malikzai, Gopinath and now Elam Bharathi, Gopinath conceding 15 off his third over as both batters decide to take him on. And Voorburg are halfway to their target inside the powerplay.
yet to batVRA
yet to batWe hope to have some news from Craeyenhout soon, where HBS are about to take on VRA in a game which is a mouth-watering prospect.
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
25-1 (3 overs)Michael Levitt goes after Gopinath, smacking him for six and four, but then the bowler gets his revenge as he goes, caught by Elam Bharathi, for an 8-ball 16. Voorburg off to a flyer, with Croes joining Gigani at the crease.
120-7 (20 overs)Voorburg
yet to batElam Bharathi and Malikzai take it through to the end, although the former is run out by a direct hit from Molenaar as he pushes for a second off the final delivery. So Salland manage exactly six an over, and they’ll have to bowl out of their skins if they are to defend that against this Voorburg batting line-up.
105-6 (18 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnd suddenly Pruss launches, smacking two fours and two sixes in a single Levitt over. With five wides, that’s 25 off it, exactly what Salland so desperately needed. Another six, this time off Van Vliet, takes Pruss to a maiden half-century, but he edges the next delivery to Noah Croes and departs for 52, off 49 balls. He’s given his side just the faintest sniff of a chance.
64-5 (15 overs)Voorburg
yet to batThe boundaries had dried up completely, but Pruss manages to hit one off Michael Molenaar, and as long as he and Elam Bharathi are together there’s some prospect of a half-decent total. Strikingly, though, Ryan Klein has not yet had a bowl.
43-5 (10 overs)Voorburg
yet to batNehaan Gigani into the attack, and he immediately gets the breakthrough, Khan caught by Stijn de Leede for 15. Two balls later Babar Lasi follows, another catch for Boissevain. This is turning into a miserable start to the season for Salland. Tom de Leede, too, has immediate success, bowling Usmanzai with his second delivery. Pruss is still there, joined now by Elam Bharathi, but at the halfway mark the men from Deventer (and points east) face a battle to get much over a hundred. Which seems unlikely to be anywhere near enough.
32-2 (6 overs)Voorburg
yet to batKingma strikes: Ottachchige caught by Laurens Boissevain without scoring. Khan and Pruss thereafter largely intent on surviving the powerplay, although when Michael Levitt comes into the attack the former celebrates by lofting him for six. It’s a foundation, but Salland will need to pick up the tempo if they’re to set a defendable target.
14-1 (2 overs)Voorburg
yet to batGanesan takes a four off Viv Kingma’s opening over, but Mees van Vliet removes him, caught by Tom de Leede (younger brother of Bas, and I swear this is the last time I’ll mention that), in the second. Another poor start for Salland, as Talha Ahmed Khan comes in to join Piyaranga Ottachchige. And immediately despatches Van Vliet to the boundary.
0-0 (0 overs)Voorburg
yet to batAnd the news is that Salland have won the toss and elected to have a bat.
At this point Excelsior should have been taking on VOC, but as we noted earlier, the games at Thurlede were called off last night because of the unfitness of the ground. So the only game in town right now will be that between Salland and Voorburg at the Bermweg, with two more matches to follow at 16:00. Stay with us, and we’ll bring you the toss as soon as we have it.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
84 a.o. (19.3 overs)A little show of resistance from Malikzai, but after losing Rajendran to a catch by Mudford off Khalid Ahmadzai he spoons an easy return catch to Balwantsingh, and when Tom Hoornweg yorks Gopinath as he attempts a vert ambitious slog-sweep it’s all over, and Sparta win by 160 runs.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
77-2 (10.2 overs)The match at Loopuyt Oval has been abandoned, Hermes-DVS marking their return to the top flight with a pretty comfortable DLS victory. Not sure of the exact margin, but it will be of the order of 45 or so. Christoffel Klijnhans the undoubted star, but well supported by Daniel Doyle, with Sebastiaan Braat chipping in towards the end.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
61-7 (15 overs)Skipper Martijn Snoep comes on from the Pavilion End for Sparta, and in his second over he gets Elam Bharathi, chasing a wide one and edging to keeper Mudford. In his next he gets Lasi leg-before (having been left deeply disappointed, nay, wounded to the quick, when a similar appeal was turned down in his first over. With debutants Praveen Rajendran and Shahir Malikzai now together Salland are on the ropes and just about down and out.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
77-2 (10.2 overs)HCC, meanwhile, in their own version of Mission-Well-nigh-Impossible, had reached 71 for two at the half-way mark, needing a mere 17 an over in the back half. Gorlee smacked Olivier Elenbaas for six over long on to move to 24*, but by the time they retrieved the ball the heavens had opened, and the covers are now on. A bleak outlook in more ways than one, although Hermes can be pleased with what they’ve achieved so far.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
38-5 (10 overs)It’s all over, really, at the Bermweg, Salland needing 20 an over in the final ten and half the side aleady gone. Lasi and Elam Bharathi are picking up a few token runs, but it’s more about limiting the NRR damage – which is pretty certainly going to be considerable – than about anything approximating a run-chase. Ahsan Malik finished with four for 19 from his four overs, and that really settled the issue.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
54-2 (7 overs)HCC have lost Tonny Staal, who takes on Dutt and slices a catch to Ashley Ostling at point. And now Charumbira’s gone for 21, lofting Olivier Elenbaas into the hands of Dutt at extra cover. Jed Wiggins joins Boris Gorlee in the middle.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
22-5 (6 overs)Salland making life very difficult for themselves, as Talha Ahmed is run out when Pruss calls him through for a quick single and Ferguson’s return from cover is too quick for Ahmed’s despairing dive. Then Malik’s too wily for the youngster Pruss, who can only send a looping catch to Ali Raza at deep mid-off when the ball takes him high on the bat. Babar Lasi and Saqibullah Usmanzai together now – or they were until Usmanzai becomes Malik’s fourth victim, caught by Balwantsingh for 9. Salland in all sorts.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
14-0 (2 overs)Spin at both ends to start at Harga, Dutt and Ekrami sharing the new ball. Charumbira and Staal opening for HCC, and the latter finds the first six lofting the left-armer over long off. HCC already off the pace though at sevens off the first two.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
9-2 (2 overs)They’re back on at Bermweg and Salland are one down already, as Ahsan Malik has Piyaranga caught deep backward square. Talha Khan joins Ganesan, but the partnership lasts just four balls as the Salland skipper carves Malik into the hands of cover point. Pruss at 4.
239-3 (19/19 overs)HCC
yet to batAnd Hermes’ onslaught is complete at Harga too, seems we lost an over aside owing to the early delay. Braat finishes unbeaten on 43 off 19, Teun Leijer’s 2-31 in 3 the best of a pretty ugly bowling card.
244-4 (20 overs)Salland
yet to batMalikzai picks up two in the final over, Raza failing to clear deep square leg and then Ferguson losing his legg stump to an excellent yorker on the final ball, but his 44-ball 75 coupled with Mudford’s earlier fireworks has lifted Sparta to an imposing 244-4 at the break.
226-3 (18 overs)HCC
yet to batLeijer has another at Harga, Aryan Dutt holing out after an all-too-brief debut, but Hermes show no signs of slowing. Braat in on the act now putting Overdijk back over his head for six, he’s raced to 29 off 13, DCC into the 70s But that’s as far as he’ll ger, Braat is repreived as Patel shells a skier behind the stumps, but Crowley gets Doyale-Calle next ball looking to lap a straight one fine and bwoled for 73. Ostling in.
218-2 (17 overs)Salland
yet to batNew Salland skipper Venkat Ganesan finally puts a stop to the carnage at Bermeweg, sneaking one under Mudford’s swing to bowl him for a 45-ball 135. Raza in, Ferguson on 66*.
189-1 (15 overs)Salland
yet to batMeanwhile Mudford’s brought up his ton too, and follows the theme of the day by bringing up the milestone with a staight six off the hapless Gopinath. Fifty for Ferguson too, Salland look out of ideas.
179-1 (13 overs)HCC
yet to batKlijnhans finally departs for 114 off 45, it’s young Yeun Leijer that gets him edging behind on the cut. Dutt in to join DDC, who goes to fifty next over lofting Adam Leonard’s medium pace for a straight six. 22 off the over in the end, Hermes aren’t slowing down.
132-0 (10.1 overs)HCC
yet to batAnd a century on debut for CP Klijnhans, brought up off just forty balls as he whips an inoccuous offspinner from Jed Wiggins round the corner for four. DDC still with him, but mostly been a spectator with 28 off 21 to his name.
112-1 (10 overs)Salland
yet to batSparta ticking along at a comparatively sedate nine an over at Bermweg, Mudford and Ferguson still together, both in the mid thirties. Or rather they were, at the start of that over, but Mudford takes Elam Barathi entirely apart in the tenth. Four sixes, 28 off it altogether, Mudford on to 62 and Salland in shambles.
77-0 (6 overs)HCC
yet to batOver at Harga CP Klijnhans is enjoying his first outing for Hermes. They’re on the mat there too but Klijnhans doesn’t seem to mind at all, taking four consecutive sixes off Hidde Overdijk on his way to a 21-ball 50. Daniel Doyle Calle out there with him and Hermes off to a flier.
39-1 (5.1 overs)Salland
yet to batFirst boundary of the season comes from the bat of the prodigal Shaquille Martina, a fetching wristy drive for four through extra of James Ridley. It’s Martina’s first season back in top flight Dutch cricket in a decade, last playing for VOC as a teenager. He and Sam Ferguson, who’s back for the T20s at least is seems are making fine progress at Bermweg, though it’s very much the latter driving the scoring as he lifts Gopinath for six over cow. No Lubbers or vd Molen for Salland today, Malikzai and Pruss on debut. Also on debut is Riley Mudford, who now comes to the crease as Martina is caught off Ridley shanking an outside edge high toward deep third and now becomes the first wicket of the season too.
yet to batPunjab
yet to batSeems all of the day’s play at Thurlede was called off yesterday already, unilaterally by Excelsior it appears. Can they do that? I don’t think they can do that…
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsHelaas. Geen cricket morgen. pic.twitter.com/1QbCCkkqM5
— Excelsior'20.⚽🏏 (@excelsior20) April 19, 2024
yet to batPunjab
yet to batNo cricket expected at all th Thurlede today though we gather. Not clear if the games have been called off or relocated…
0-0 (0 overs)HCC
yet to batHCC have won the toss and elected to field too, but the covers are back on at the Loopuyt though, waiting game in Schiedam.
0-0 (0 overs)Salland
yet to batFirst toss news, Salland win the toss at Bermweg and will bowl first.
Good Morning all and welcome back for another season of Ducth domestic cricket with us at TK, hope you’ve all enjoyed the winter break. An all T20 start for the first few weeks then, and an action-packed opening day ahead of us. Should have some toss news for you shortly, in the meantime there’s still time to skimg the Round 1 Preview andget your fantasy team sorted.
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