Topklasse T20 Live | Round 6 | As it Happened

Confirmation from Craeyenhout that the match has been abandoned due to heavy rain. The par score at ten overs being 85, HBS win by 8 runs on DLS.

De Kok hits a very fortuitous boundary over the keeper’s head, and then the rain sweeps in. There’s some very ugly stuff on the radar, and it wouldn’t surprise if that were it.

Another for De Villiers, as Fourie lifts him to Klein at deep midwicket and departs for a 27-ball 42. And another: Van der Meulen caught by Klein at wideish long off for 3. VOC in all sorts.

McKenzie goes, tapping a simple return catch to De Villiers. Jason van de Meulen in at five, Fourie still there on 36*

Etman finishes with 37* from 31, taking the winning two from Chennamangalam’s first delivery, and Excelsior win by 9 wickets. A bittersweet victory no doubt, but in the end they left themselves just too much to do.

And another, as Bettelheim slices De Mey to Matthijs Kleinhout at deep backward point. McKenzie joins Fourie, who’s on 25* from 16.

Meanwhile at Craeyenhout, Ryan Schierhout and Francois Fourie have also get off at a gallop, until Schierhout, on 17, lofts Kyle Klein to De Villers at long off. Taylor Bettelheim in at three.

Strange game sometimes, cricket.

It was a gallant attempt, but now they need five sixes off as many balls. Ganesan into the attack, and Verhagen drives his first uppishly to Van der Molen at extra cover. He made a fine 45 from 21, as Stan van Troost joins Etman to chase what will now be a consolation win.

Gopinath again: wide, then a dot from a full delivery. A single from what may have been a dropped chance (Etman was on his way for a moment), and a leg-bye. Another dot, and it’s gone, I think. Just a single, and another off the last.

Gijs van der Molen replaces Malikzai, and Verhagen smashes his first over long on for six. Just a single off the second, followed by a wide. And another, two when they take a single from it. A dot is partial redemption, but not when Verhagen drives the next wide of mid-on for four. The fifth ball is lofted out to long off for another boundary, with the last following it from a much more classic stroke. 22 from the over, and now it’s 30-35 from 8-11.

Gopinath into the attack from the Railway End, right on the spot from the outset. Second ball, Verhagen tries a reverse and misses, but the third is cracked through mid-off for four. The next comes off the inside edge, but it still yields a couple more, before a massive swing unsights the keeper and produces a bye. Four for Verhagen off the last, and Excelsior need 52 (or more) from between 14 and 17 deliveries.

A single for Etman gets Verhagen back on strike, and he cracks Malikzai through mid-on for four. Then another through mid-off, followed by a single into the covers. A dot as Etman drives and missesand a fine edge yields another couple. Almost halfway in overs, and the improbable is still on!

A wide from Reinder Lubbers as well, and then a boundary for Etman, not from the middle of the bat but they’ll not worry about that! Then six over cover, followed by a single to long on. A square drive by Verhagen yields another four, and the last, a slower ball, sails over cow for six. 22 off the over, which is a lot more like it from the Schiedammers’ point of view.

I’m sure you’ll understand if we just focus on this one for a bit. Malikzai opens from the Pavilion End, and his first over includes two wides. Still a long way short of what Excelsior need, as Tim Etman and Roel Verhagen set out on the chase.

Meanwhile at Craeyenhout, where it’s really only the result that matters, De Mey is run out looking for an impossible second run off the final delivery, Klein finishing with 33* off 28.

Malikzai goes second ball, caught behind by Stan van Troost, and Ashtutosh Chennamangalam can only add a single, Van der Molen bowled off the last to leave Excelsior needing 104 to win.

Hundred up for Salland, but then Niels Etman takes a return catch to remove Lasi. Malikzai in at eight, with five balls remaining.

Del Bianco goes, lofting Upadhyaya to Van der Meulen at long on. Julien de Mey in with three and a bit overs left.

But sweet revenge for junior as Reinder pulls him to mid-on, where Stan van Troost takes the catch. He made 35 from 40 deliveries, and is succeeded by Gijs van der Molen, who has a (friendly) word with his former captain as he arrives at the crease.

Victor Lubbers returns to the attack, and big brother Reinder promptly smacks him over midwicket for six. There’s a bit more urgency about the Salland batting now, as we go into the final four overs of their innings.

Klein and Del Bianco continue to put up a valuable fifth-wicket stand, the latter taking most of the strike and moving to 23* off 27. McKenzie back from the Scoreboard End.

Ralston returns to get Pruss caught by Stan van Troost for 16. That is a crucial wicket, and it brings Babar Lasi to the crease.

No very obvious gear-change as yet, but very, very gradually Pruss and Lubbers are making life increasingly difficult for Excelsior. Anything beyond 100, you’d think, would require an almost superhuman effort by the visitors to improve their NRR enough to squeeze into the four.

At the halfway mark for HBS they have the foundation of a pretty good score, Klein and Del Bianco pushing along usefully at this stage. But they will be aware of the power of VOC’s top order on Craeyenhout’s batter-friendly surface.

The spinners are getting in amongst the HBS top order: first Ramdas Uphadyaya gets through a massive Botha swing and demolishes his stumps, Botha departing for a 22-ball 41, and then Asief Hoseinbaks traps Walbrugh in front for 3. Del Bianco in with Klein now.

At the halfway point Pruss and Lubbers are still there, but Salland will need to raise the tempo if they’re going to present Excelsior with a serious challenge.

Jelte Schoonheim on from the Sportlaan End, De Villiers smacking him for four and then for a towering six over midwicket. Then another four. But Schoonheim gets his man, as De Villiers comes down the pitch swinging and edges through to Fourie. 16 from 9 for him, Walbrugh in at four.

Talha Khan gone as well, caught by Jason Ralston off Niels Etman for 10. Reinder Lubbers in.

Two fours for Botha from McKenzie’s over. Jain minor bowls the third, generating decent pace and bounce with his left-arm deliveries. But in MacKenzie’s second Mason is caught by Jason van der Meulen and makes way for De Villiers.

Blankestijn takes the third over, and bowls Ganesan with his second delivery, also for 4. Pruss in to join Talha Khan.

Tim de Kok has called correctly at Craeyenhout and HBS will again bat first. Botha and Mason again, Arnav Jain bowling the initial over from the Scoreboard End. Botha continues where he left off, pulling the first ball hard for four. Jock McKenzie from the Sportlaan End.

Lorenzo Ingram takes the first over, Ottachchige hitting him for four before falling to a catch by Jens Blankestijn. Ideal start for Excelsior in their quest for a decisive victory and a place at the finals day!

And on we go: the news from Het Schootsveld is that Venkat Ganesan has won the toss and elected to bat.

Niaz hoists De Mey’s first ball high over square leg for six, and they take a single off the third. The fourth degenerates into a Keystone Kops affair: a wide down the leg side, Niaz comes for a run, is sent back, well out of his ground but De Mey fumbles the return, hurls the ball at the stumps, misses, and they get an ovethrow. Scores level. A dot, then Niaz goes big again, over long on this time, and Punjab-Ghausia win by 3 wickets with one ball to spare. Not comfortable, but two very useful points and a big disappointment for HBS..

Nine off Botha’s last, so 10 required off De May’s final over.

Shinwari takes just six deliveries for 18 before he is stumped by Del Bianco off De Mey, and then Yasir Usman holes out to De Villiers at deep midwicket. Shafiq joins Niaz; 19 needed off two overs, but Punjab have only three wickets in hand.

Khan clatters Banerjee over square leg for the winning boundary, finishing on a 37-ball 49*. That’s a very good 6-wicket win for Salland, but it’s likely to be a classic example of too little, too late.

Saqib is caught by Klein off Stephan Vink, and Venter follows it up by getting Sikander pouched by Walbrugh. And before I can post this Venter gets another: Vandiar, who has been smacking the ball mightily, caught by De Villiers for a 19-ball 35. Shinwari and Niaz at the crease, and 41 needed off four.

Gorlee takes over from the Pavilion End, and after a bizarre moment when Pruss seems to have switched sports to caber-tossing, his bat flying out of his hands and threatening to do the square leg umpire a mischief, he tries to hit the HCC skipper out of the ground and holes out to Leonard at long on. Two balls later Reinder Lubbers skies him to Wiggins at mid-off. Salland suddenly making heavy weather of this, Gorlee two for 2.

Talha Khan goes after Banerjee, easing him through the covers and then slog-sweeping him over midwicket for six. That appears to be the end of that ball, which may have disappeared over the fence. Just 15 needed now.

Julien de Mey has Musa caught by De Villiers as he tries to lift him over the square leg boundary. Which brings Jonathan Vandiar in to join Saqib.

Banerjee is pressed into service from the Railway End, but Khan and Pruss are pushing quietly on. 36 needed from the last six.

Jinxed! Minhas makes to swing Henrico Venter away to get, and is pinned in front for 46. Saqib Zulfiqar joins Musa, who’s on 35* from 28.

Minhas takes a liking to Boddendijk, lifting him behind square for four, before smacking him squarer for six and finishing the over off with another four. He gives Kyle Klein the same treatment, not so much a wagon wheel as a wagon spoke. 45* off 17 for him, and Punjab seemingly on course for a comfortable win.

Musa and Minhas are going along at a decent clip, Boddendijk into the attack now.

The tempo has slowed a little since Ganesan’s departure, McInerney and now Wiggins succeeding De Lange and Crowley. And it’s Wiggins who gets Ottachchige, who dances down the pitch to him and is bowled. Acelan Pruss in at four.

The chase has started at Craeyenhout as well, Musa Ahmad and Shoaib Minhas opening against De Villiers and Botha.

Salland have started at a gallop, although it’s hard to see how even two overwhelming wins could get them off the relegation hook this time (they managed to escape on the last round-robin day last year). Ganesan has raced to 28* from 22, but as I write this he goes, unable to keep a drive down and holing out to Leonard at mid-off off De Lange. Talha Khan joins Ottachchige.

Walbrugh makes the most of batting at the death, contributing a very useful 24-ball 36* which includes five boundaries. Good support from Del Bianco, and HBS have a pretty imposing total to defend.

They’re back in Deventer, Floris de Lange starting from the Pavilion End to Ottachchige. Ganesan at the other end. Daniel Crowley to bowl the second over.

Kyle Klein joins Walbrugh, but then nicks off to Burhan Niaz for 5. Lucas del Bianco the new man.

After an aggressive little knock of 22 Staal is run out by bowler Malikzai as Leijer calls him through for an impossible single. Thijs Vrolijk is bowled next ball, and then Malikzai finishes it off by doing the same to Floris de Lange, finishing with four for 9. Game on at Het Schootsveld.

Two balls later De Villers is also trapped in front by Shafiq, who is bowling his side back into this. HBS in danger of squandering an outstanding start.

Botha, on 80, makes to sweep Shafiq and misses. An impassioned appeal from the bowler, and the umpire’s finger goes up. Tayo Walbrugh joins De Villiers in the middle.

Malikzai removes Gorlee, as he tries to scoop him 45wards and is bowled. All coming apart a bit for HCC, with Teun Leijer in now.

Sikander Zulfiqar gets the breakthrough, Mason chopping onto his stumps and departing for 14. Matt de Villiers in at three.

Another for Pruss as Charumbira also departs, caught by Lubbers. Gorlee batting with Staal now, a somewhat unusual seventh-wicket pairing. Malikzai returns to the attack.

No trouble for HBS at Craeyenhout, where despite the advent of Zulfiqars from both ends Botha has raced to 76* from 29 deliveries, including five fours and nine sixes. Promoting him to open has worked a treat for the Crows.

Leonard uses his feet to young Acelan Pruss, but gets an edge to Ganesan at slip. HCC in a little trouble as Staal makes a delayed entrance.

Botha and Mason, meanwhile, have given HBS an excellent start against Shafiq and Kamal, Botha the main aggressor with 34* from 14.

And two balls later Banerjee follows, edging Khan through to keeper Ottachchige. Adam Leonard joins Charumbira – not clear why Staal and Gorlee are batting to far down the order.

Talha Khan into the attack, and Wiggins continues his miserable run, making to slog-sweep and playing the ball into his stumps Patient Charumbira promoted to five.

Another wicket at Het Schootsveld, McInerney caught by Gopinath off Ganesan for a 29-ball 42. Shirsak Banerjee has joined Wiggins in the middle.

They’re under way at Craeyenhout, match reduced to 17 overs. Ahmad Shafiq bowls the first over from the Sportlaan End, with Lehaan Botha opening with Reece Mason. Sajjad Kamal from the Scoreboard End.

Ganesan rewards himself with an over from the Railway End, his first ball being cracked my McInerney for another boundary. Akhil Gopinath from the other, Wiggins getting off the mark with a four as well. Not an extravagant powerplay by HCC, but McInerney gives the total a boost with a six to move to 29* from 20.

McInerney unleashes a string of fours off Lubbers’ second over – four of them in all. But from the other end Crowley falls to an excellent slip catch by Venkat Ganesan off Malikzai and departs without scoring. Jed Wiggins in at three.

At Het Schootsveld Salland have won the toss and invited HCC to have a bat. Reinder Lubbers opens from the Railway End, bowling to Conor McInerney, who’s partnered by Daniel Crowley. Tidy opening over, just a single from it. Shahir Malikzai from the Pavilion End.

Kroesen hits the winning boundary through midwicket, and Mitchell finishes with a match-winning 45* from 33. Excelsior win by six wickets, but the margin almost certainly isn’t big enough to give them a realistic chance of squeezing into the top four, even if they win their final game on Monday. It is against Salland, though, so don’t rule anything out.

Mitchell squeezes Klein down to the third man boundary to reduce the deficit to seven, but the rest of the over’s tidy enough to take it into the final over.

Botha back to bowl the 18th, and Mitchell quietly ups the ante, driving him through point for four and then guiding the next to thind man for another. 12 off the over, so 11 needed off two.

De Mey switches to the Scoreboard End, Ingram launching him over midwicket for six. But when he tries to swing him away he’s struck on the pad and the umpire’s finger goes up. 24 needed from 19 deliveries as Joost Kroesen joins Mitchell.

A bustling little spell this from De Villiers, just four coming from his second. Venter loses his radar a little in his third, three wides adding to Excelsior’s total, and 40 are needed from the last five.

De Villiers from the End, and he manages to restrict Mitchell to just a single from his initial over. Runs are hard to come by at the moment, and Excelsior need 60 from the last eight. This is probably the match-deciding partnership.

Henrico Venter into the attack, and he gets Verhagen as he makes to cut and edges it to Del Bianco behind the stumps. Good catch that, standing up to the medium pacer. Excelsior in danger of letting HBS get on top, but Derek Mitchell now joins Ingram.

A much more authentic blow in De Mey’s second earns Verhagen another six, but he loses his partner when Van Troost gets under a mighty blow and is caught by Klein at long on. Ingram joins Verhagen, who’s on 29*.

Julien de Mey into the attack in the final over of the powerplay, proving the value of pace off the ball. Just three off the first five, and it takes an agricultural swipe by Van Troost to produce an important boundary.

Etman smashes Benno Boddendijk’s first delivery into the trees beyond long off, but the next flies to De Villiers at long on, and he departs for an 11-ball 23. Stan van Troost in at three.

Etman throws the bat at Klein, taking four and then six off his first two deliveries. The combination of pace on the ball and Craeyenhout’s artificial outfield is giving Excelsior the edge at the moment. Klein is literally hurling himself into his bowling, repeatedly tumbling onto the pitch, but 26 of the runs so far have come from boundaries.

Lehaan Botha starts from the Scoreboard End, generating good pace and repeatedly beating Roel Verhagen’s bat. No damage done, though, and Excelsior are under way. Kyle Klein from the Sportlaan End.

Etman gets the key wicket of Klein, caught by brother Tim at backward point for 29, and when Blankestijn returns to bowl the last he uproots Scholte’s leg stump, bringing Julien de Mey in to face the final delivery. He can only get it away for a leg-byee, and HBS land on a gross. Will that be enough?

Ingram chimes in next over, Del Bianco trying to hit him into the clubhouse but finding Niels Etman on the boundary instead. Martijn Scholte joins Klein, and HBS are in danger of losing their momentum here.

De Villiers goes past fifty in the accepted style, pulling a short delivery from Ralston powerfully for six in front of square, then lashes the next wide of mid-on for another. That’s it, though, as he tries for three of a kind, and holes out to Blankestijn, departing for a 34-ball 58. Lucas del Bianco joins Klein.

Ralston and Ingram return, but De Villiers and Klein are in control now, and the score continues to mount. We know Craeyenhout’s a high-scoring ground, though, and 140-150 might not be enough. A wicket now would make a big difference.

And De Villiers does indeed flick Niels Etman away in front of square for six, a very sweet shot indeed. Luuk Kroesen into the attack from the Sportlaan End, bowling flatter and quicker than usual. But when he flights it more, Klein despatches it over long off. De Villiers rides his luck, two somewhat fortuitous boundaries coming off Etman, and he’s moved to 34* from 20. This is developing into a very useful partnership for HBS.

Excelsior still maintaining the pressure well, Blankestijn having conceded just 12 off his three overs so far. But De Villiers is fairly well set now, and if he and Klein can stay together for another half-dozen overs they should be able to increase the tempo.

Another one goes: this time Blankestijn the successful bowler as Botha is beaten by steeper bounce and chips the ball to cover. Kyle Klein joins De Villiers with some work to be done by the home side.

A wicket for Victor Lubbers as Walbrugh gets under a lofted drive and is caught by Stan van Troost at wideish long on. Matt de Villiers the new man.

Honours pretty much even at the end of the powerplay, with Walbrugh and Botha working hard after the loss of Mason’s wicket and Excelsior’s bowlers keeping it tight.

Ralston gets the breakthrough: Mason beaten for pace and bowled for 11. Lehan Botha joins Walbrugh.

At Craeyenhout Roel Verhagen has won the toss for Excelsior and elected to field. Jason Ralston bowls the first over from the Scoreboard End to Tayo Walbrugh and Reece Mason. Lorenzo Ingram to bowl the second.

Nope. Saqib cracks two more sixes off Harhangi, the second taking him to a 29-ball fifty, and it’s left to Sikander to hit the winning run. 59* from 33 for Saqib, and Punjab-Ghausia win by 7 wickets. VOC will not be at the finals day, and barring an extraordinary effort by Excelsior, VRA will.

Might that be the start of it? Minhas tries to hit Schoonheim over long off, slices it, and it’s taken by McKenzie at deep point. He made 53 from 48, and Sikander Zulfiqar joins Saqib, who’s on 39 from 22.

Arnav Jain replaces his little brother, but Minhas smacks him over midwicket to go to a 43-ball 50, unhurried but very assured from the very first ball. McKenzie returns from the Zuiderparkweg End, but he concedes 14, including a four and a six by Saqib of his final two deliveries. It’s going to take something very special from VOC here!

Sixes for Saqib off the last ball of Aaditt Jain’s first over and the first ball of Asief Hoseinbaks’ second keep Punjab up with the rate, and when Saqib adds another two deliveries later the pendulum is swinging the home side’s way. Minhas now on 44* off 42 and Saqib on 21* off 14. 52 required off eight.

At the halfway point Punjab have left themselves quite a bit to do, but with Minhas well set, Saqib in with him and Sikander still to come, eight an over is entirely gettable. VOC could do with a wicket or two.

Vandiar pulls Schoonheim down the throat of McKenzie at deep square leg and departs for 1. Punjab’s turn to be in a spot of bother as Saqib Zulfiqar joins Minhas.

Musa gets his innings going with a couple of boundaries off Schoonheim, but then he skies Upadhyaya to midwicket and is caught by one of the Jains. Jonathan Vandiar in at three.

Minhas has added a couple of boundaries to his tally, moving to 20*, while Musa Ahmad is content with singles at present. Solid start for Punjab, but there’s a long way to got. Schoonheim into the attack.

Arnav Jain starts from the Equestrian Centre End, and Shoaib Minhas lifts his first ball effortlessly over midwicket and into the trees. Just a couple of singles thereafter.

Sikander bowls Asief Hoseinbaks, and when Musa has Ramdas Uphadyaya caught by one of the Zulfiqars and bowls Roman Harhangi next ball VOC have to settle for 141. On the face of it, an almost identical outcome to Voorburg’s earlier, although the manner of getting their could hardly be more different: the first four wickets falling for 18 runs, the last six for five, and in between a stand of 105 between Van der Meulen and Jain. Bizarre.

Musa Ahmad into the attack, and Van der Meulen departs for 62 as he hammers him to wideish long off, where Shafiq runs a long way to his left to take an outstanding leaping catch. Then Sikander removes Schoonheim, and suddenly 150 looks a lot further off.

Sikander does get the breakthrough, as Jain lofts him into the covers and is caught by Kamal. His 40 off 36 helped turn the innings around, and as Jelte Schoonheim joins Van der Meulen VOC will be looking to get to somewhere north of 150.

The big South African hammers Niaz into the trees to go to a 31-ball 50*, and Saqib turns to his brother Sikander to try to get the breakthrough. But when Jain hoists Niaz over cow for six the stand’s up to 100, and VOC are looking like setting a pretty substantial total. Van der Meulen now 58* off 34, Jain 39* off 37.

Saqib Zulfiqar and Burhan Niaz take over the attack, and Van der Meulen goes after Saqib, hitting him at the start of his second over for back-to-back sixes. Niaz puts him down in the next over, a strong drive back to the bowler which he can’t cling on to. A very good stand this for VOC, with Van der Meulen now on 35* off 26 and Jain on 24* off 26.

Jason van der Meulen, batting now with Arnav Jain, starts a fightback with a six of Shafiq, following it up with a four off Kamal. The powerplay ends at 35 for four, Shaiq and Kamal having bowled unchanged, and Shafiq continues to complete his spell. He finishes with two for 21. Kamal also bowls out – unheard of this in T20 cricket – and after Jain hits his penultimate delivery for six he ends with two for 27.

VOC in the proverbial now: McKenzie hits Shafiq down the throat of Musa Ahmad at long on, Bettelheim skies Sajjad Kamal to Shafiq at deep cover, and three balls later Tim de Kok edges the same bowler to Shoaib Minhas. That’s been a great start by Punjab!

An eventful start at the Zomercomplex, where Ryan Schierhout, opening with Taylor Bettelheim, creams Ahmad Shafiq’s first two deliveries through point and is bowled by the third as he tries to hoist it over midwicket. Jock McKenzie in early at three.

At the Zomercomplex, Punjab-Ghausia have won the toss and invited VOC to have a bat.

Overdijk cracks Molenaar for back-to-back fours and then a six over long off to give HCC the points. But all credit to Voorburg, who battled all the way and made it a lot closer than it had seemed likely to be at a couple of points. HCC win by six wickets and are sure of a place at the finals day.

Just a single off that De Lange over, so it’s 21 from four. Kaplan bowls his last from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, eight coming from it to put HCC back in charge.

Now it’s getting interesting: Wiggins bowled by Floris de Lange trying to swing him through midwicket. All the momentum’s with Voorburg now, and HCC need a partnership as Yash Patel joins Overdijk.

A little stocktake by Wiggins and Overdijk after that flurryette of wickets, just three from Gigani’s first over. Croes brings Van Vliet back to press home the advantage, if that’s what it is, and he has a pretty good if unsuccessful shout for LBW against Overdijk. Three singles off his over as well, but HCC only need 22 off the last five. Voorburg have to keep taking wickets.

Back-to-back fours for Gorlee off De Lange, but when he tries to pull the next he gets into a tangle and edges the ball into his stumps. Can Voorburg claw their way back into this, as Overdijk joins Wiggins in the middle?

Gorlee pulls his first ball over square leg for six, but then McInerney pulls Floris de Lange straight to Stijn de Leede and departs for 66. One brings two, as they like to say. Jed Wiggins in at four.

And there’s the breakthrough, Molenaar hurrying one through Staal’s defences to bowl him to 20. Skipper Boris Gorlee in to join McInerney.

Just the one over for Klein at this stage, as he’s succeeded by the medium pace of Floris de Lange. McInerney lofts him back over his head for six to reach a 27-ball fifty. Klein switches to the Scoreboard End, Croes ringing the changes, but by the halfway stage there’s still no breakthrough, and HCC need just 52 off the last ten. McInerney now 66* off 41.

A big moment in the context of the season as Ryan Klein bowls for the first time, and he’s right on the spot from ball one, albeit off a shorter run than usual. Tidy over from him, but ten come from Michael Molenaar’s from the Scoreboard End, and by powerplay’s end HCC are well on their way with all their wickets still in hand.

Kaplan, too, suffers the McInerney treatment, as he tees off over extra midwicket from the other end as well. Van Vliet’s second over is preceded by another conference as they retrieve the ball (probably from the tennis courts), but at the end of it Staal joins the party with a six over conventional midwicket. HCC racing away with this at the moment.

McInerney twice lifts Van Vliet over extra midwicket, the second apparently disappearing into the gardens in the corner, a familiar problem at De Diepput. When it does come back the umpires have a good look, making sure it still has a cover. Croes and Van Vliet have what appears to be an animated discussion, the bowler perhaps wanting a man on a stepladder on that boundary. It all takes a long time, but in the end Van Vliet restricts McInerney to a single to point off his final delivery.

Cedric de Lange takes the first over from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End, bowling to McInerney and Staal and conceding and two and three singles. Mees van Vliet from the Scoreboard End.

Charumbira closes it out, getting Stijn de Leede caught by Teun Leijer and then, next ball, accounting for Mees van Vliet, caught by McInerney. He finishes with three for 25, and at the innings break it’s anybody’s game.

Charumbira, again bowling a lot of slower balls, gets Boissevain caught by Overdijk at deep extra for a very valuable 24-ball 40 — he’s kept Voorburg in the hunt here. Floris de Lange the new man.

Wiggins comes in for some tap, his last over going for 18 with sixes for both Boissevain, now Voorburg’s top scorer here, and De Leede. Hidde Overdijk belatedly joins the attack, bowling off a short run, and he tempts De Leede into pulling a lifting delivery to Tonny Staal at deep square leg. Boissevain’s now on 34*, joined by Stijn de Leede.

That’s a slightly weird dismissal: Wiggins having returned from the Scoreboard End, he bowls outside off stump to Croes, who tries to slog-sweep and can only clip the ball into his stumps. He goes for 20. Tom de Leede in to join Boissevain.

Having reached 56 by the halfway mark, Voorburg need to accelerate, and Molenaar greets Leijer’s advent by smashing him over his head for six and pulling him through midwicket for four. But he can only spoon the third back to the bowler, who takes the easiest of return catches. Laurens Boissevain to the crease with half the side gone.

Adam Leonard into the attack now, and he gets the first ball of his second over to jag back sharply to Klein and take the top of middle stump. Great delivery, and a key wicket for HCC! Klein goes for 18 from 13, and Michael Molenaar joins Croes.

That’s rectified next ball as Wiggins is no-balled (not sure why) and Klein hoists him over long on for six, corrected to four. The free hit is lofted straight for four more. And with Crowley’s next going for nine, the Voorburg total is looking a bit healthier by the end of the powerplay.

Wiggins replaces McInerney, and when, after a string of twos, De Lange tries an overambitious but in the end quite gentle ramp, Teun Leijer pulls off an outstanding catch, moving a long way to his right to take the ball just above the ground. Still no boundaries in the Voorburg innings, despite De Diepput’s postage-stamp dimensions, as Ryan Klein joins Croes.

And another two deliveries later, as Kaplan pulls Crowley straight to Jed Wiggins on the midwicket boundary. Noah Croes in to try to avert the crisis.

Gigani goes after Crowley, but only succeeds in hitting him as far as Patient Charumbira at mid-off, who moves to his left to accept a fairly straightforward catch. First blood to HCC, as Gavin Kaplan joins young De Lange.

Noah Croes won the toss at De Diepput (it really is De Diepput this time, for those who followed my updates last night), and has elected to bat. Nehaan Gigani and Cedric de Lange open, initially facing left-arm spinner Conor McInerney from the Van Hogenhoucklaan End. Both batters quietly off the mark with a single, with two more following in the course of the over. The McInerney experiment might be said to have worked. Daniel Crowley from the Scoreboard End.

There’s no confirmation yet of an abandonment at Westvliet, but that must surely be off as well.  Voorburg will win by 6 runs on DLS, giving a first defeat to HBS. That could be very important for their chances of making the finals day.

We have confirmation that the match at the Bermweg has been abandoned. The two teams will share the points.

They’re fiddling about with the covers at the Bermweg, but whether this is a good or a bad sign I am unable to tell you.

Abandon ye not yet hope regarding the Bermweg. The umpires have at least ventured out to the middle, so maybe all is not yet lost!

And we have a result at Thurlede. Unfortunately, it’s a No result. One point apiece.

There’s movement at the Bermweg, so perhaps we’ll get more play there. One suspects that if that’s right, VOC will have a 9-over chase at most. Possibly less.

As things stand, Voorburg are 6 runs ahead of the par score, and since they’ve reached the minimum five overs, they will win if there’s no further play. The rain has been quite heavy in Den Haag, but HBS will be very keen indeed to get back out there!

One has a sneaking suspicion that the weather gods may have intervened at Westvliet as well . . .

Gigani falls to Botha, caught by Martijn Scholte for 14, bringing Kaplan in to join Klein. Advantage HBS at this point, although Voorburg are up with the rate.

It looks as if the rain may have reached Schiedam, delaying the restart at Thurlede.

Voorburg begin their chase, Nirav Gigani and Cedric de Lange opening. Gigani smacks two sixes off Julien de Mey’s initial over, and that’s a pretty good start.

Voorburg begin their chase, Nirav Gigani and Cedric de Lange opening. Gigani smacks two sixes off Julien de Mey’s initial over, and that’s a pretty good start.

Voorburg come back well also, with De Villiers caught by Ryan Klein off Michael Molenaar for a 21-ball 37, and then Van Vliet picks up another, Del Bianco caught behind by Croes for 11. But 191 is a big ask!

Braat completes the innings with a run-out, Mitchell gone for 20, and Hermes have the momentum at the innings break.

Things swing strongly Hermes’ way at Thurlede, as Jabarkhail has Lubbers caught by Braat for one, and then the skipper removes first Joost Kroesen and then Niels Etman, neither of them scoring, as a procession forms. Jason Ralston in now with Mitchell.

And they’re off for rain in Capelle a/d IJssel!

And two quick wickets at Westvliet, Botha caught by Laurens Boissevain off Van Vliet for 69 (from just 38 deliveries), and Kyle Klein quickly following, bowled by Kaplan to give him his third wicket, for 2. Lucas del Bianco in to join De Villiers.

Another wicket at the Bermweg as well, where Clark has holed out to Schierhout off Aaditt Jain for 13. Juandre Scheepers joins Martina, who’s made a steady 29-ball 20*.

Not tonight, though, Josephine: in his final over Ravi Thapliyal has Ingram caught by Luca Borrani for 30, bringing Victor Lubbers to the crease. Nicely poised, this, now.

Excelsior are moving along steadily as well, although Verhagen has just been caught by Daniel Doyle off Ekrami for 31. Fewer fireworks here, but with Derek Mitchell joining Ingram with seven overs left the home side will be hoping for another stand from this pair.

Botha has belted five sixes in moving to 55* off 31, and HBS look set for a big score. De Villiers giving him good support against Voorburg’s depleted attack.

Jelte Schoonheim into the attack for VOC, but Mudford, having just hit a towering straight six off McKenzie, despatches the new bowler into the trees beyond long on. Batters on top everywhere at the moment, with Mudford having raced to 26 off 13. But then he miscues a mighty drive off Schoonheim and is caught at deep extra by Ryan Schierhout. Will Clark the new man.

Mason’s gone after making a 34-ball 46, caught by Stijn de Leede off Kaplan. Botha’s on 25, joined now by Matt de Villiers.

At the Bermweg Sparta won the toss and elected to bat, Shaquille Martina and Riley Mudford opening against Arnav Jain and Jock McKenzie.

Mason and Botha are putting together a very valuable partnership at De Diepput: Croes has tried five bowlers so far, but without his internationals his options are more limited than usual. Mason now on 30* from 27, Botha on 21* from 17.

Chris Klijnhans catches Van Troost off Murid Ekrami’s bowling for 5, and Hermes are fighting their way back into this. But now it’s Lorenzo Ingram who’s joined Verhagen in the middle.

A wicket at Thurlede as well: Etman, after making a rapid 32, is bowled by Hermes skipper Sebastiaan Braat. Stan van Troost in at three.

At Westvliet Mason has taken on that task, Walbrugh batting comparatively conservatively at the other end. But it’s Walbrugh who goes, Gavin Kaplan accepting a return catch to bag the first wicket of the evening. Lehan Botha in to join Mason.

Olivier Elenbaas starts to Tim Etman, who hits his fourth delivery to the boundary, and Roel Verhagen. A second boundary by Etman makes it a pretty good over for Excelsior. Abdul Jabar Jabarkhail from the other end.

The game between Voorburg and HCC has been moved to the second ground in connection with the fact that Westvliet will be otherwise engaged for the next week, hosting the T20 tri-series against Ireland and Scotland. Noah Croes won the toss and invited HBS to have bat, five coming from Mees van Vliet’s opening over to Tayo Walbrugh and Reece Mason.

One of this evening’s games is nothing less than the first Schiedam Derby of the season, and while we’re not sure who’s won the toss, it looks as if home side Excelsior will be batting first at Thurlede.