‘This resulted in some amazing wins and ultimately getting promoted to the next level which made it very special. Hopefully, we can take this spirit into next season.’
FORMER Dutch all-rounder and Voorburg club legend Tim de Leede has wound back the clock, smashing a brutal century and taking two wickets to help his side to a 58-run win at HBS.
Opener Abbass Zaidi was also instrumental in the victory, notching a well-made 90 to close in on 600 runs for the season in what’s been a fine campaign for the VCC captain.
Sono bowling to Rashid with Harold at the non-striker’s end in the ‘butterfly enclosure’ nets at Sparta Rotterdam
‘Everyone started sharing the same view which was to come prepared on game day, train on their weaknesses and think like a team.’
Voorburg had already sealed promotion leading into the game, but did not have it all their own way, losing the dangerous pair of Atif Aziz and Harold Vogelaar early.
But Abbass’s trademark powerful straight hitting was complemented nicely by Rashid Siddique’s (30) intensity at the crease, taking the visitors’ total past 100 at better than five an over.
When both departed, there was a brief glimmer of hope for HBS, before three-time World Cup player de Leede went beserk, taking the game away from the home side with huge striking to all parts.
Spectators and cyclists passing by weren’t safe, as the veteran dispatched every bowler he faced out of the ground repeatedly, facing only about 30 balls for an even 100 (retired).
We wanted to create a team of guys that take their cricket seriously and also know how to enjoy the game
Australian import Nick Price chimed in with 21 in his final game for the club, as Voorburg posted an ominous 308-9 off 40 overs.
HBS, to their credit, attacked the chase positively with aggressive strokeplay. Amiet Soekhoe (48 and 4-70) and Iqbal Singh (40 and 3 catches) combined well in the field and did so again for a fruitful second-wicket partnership that took the score past 100-1 at about a run a ball.
Voorburg’s tactic to utilise the artificial pitch’s ‘tennis ball’ bounce with part-time spin didn’t quite pay off, but once the new-ball pace pairing of Sono Zaidi (3-42) and Faisal Janjua (3-41) returned, along with the experience of de Leede (2-80), HBS lost momentum and were rolled for 250.
In the aftermath, Abbass hailed his side’s dedication in successfully pushing for promotion.
‘We wanted to create a team of guys that take their cricket seriously and also know how to enjoy the game,’ Abbass said.
‘Everyone started sharing the same view which was to come prepared on game day, train on their weaknesses and think like a team.’
‘This resulted in some amazing wins and ultimately getting promoted to the next level which made it very special. Hopefully, we can take this spirit into next season.’
Voorburg hosts Concordia this Sunday in the final round of matches for the 2017 season, with deserved celebrations certain to follow.
‘This resulted in some amazing wins and ultimately getting promoted to the next level which made it very special. Hopefully, we can take this spirit into next season.’
