Amsterdam - CPCC v VRA

Finally the day arrived. Bringing together of two hemispheres on the cricketing field, for some fun, cricket and oh yeah the odd beer afterwards.
Collaroy Plateau Cricket Club had just finished an arduous 16 match tour of the UK that started in Singapore, and was culminating with match number 17 on the lovely fields of the Amsterdamse Bos against a VRA Presidents Zami XI. All we needed was to keep the rain at bay.

CPCC arrived resplendent in their tour suits and baggys which created lots of consternation amongst the Dutchies, whom had they known that Aussies would have turned up so civilised, they would have reciprocated the formal approach. Hard to blame the Dutch as Australians are uncivilised…….having said that, the day was being played in honour of the first European civilian to place his foot on what became Australia – Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog. He left Amsterdam aboard the ‘Eendracht’ and ended up on the West coast of Australia in 1616, nailing a pewter plate to a cricket stump saying ‘Dirk was here, wickets too hard, going back to coconut matting in Batavia’. This plate now sits in the Rijksmuseum and we brought the two countries together playing for a replica on this big day at VRA.

Unfortunately the Dutch weather played some havoc and our chances of playing on the main ground were scuppered when a monsoon hit about 5 mins after CPCC arrived at the ground. Not to worry, the enthusiasm for a game was infectious and we managed to get on the 2nd ground. Ed kindly offered the tourists the opportunity to select what to do, and the tourists didn’t hesitate in batting first.
Nath Storey and Jacko opened, Nath creaming some nice boundaries in amongst the odd shower before going for a useful 17 off 13 balls. Jacko had departed for 2 earlier, and at 2-32, CPCC seemed in a spot of bother. Showers kept interrupting as did the low flying jumbos, but Rob ‘Borcat’ Minnett and Brenden ‘Bruno’ Ball scored 30 and 35 not out respectively before retiring, Borcats runs coming off only 25 balls including 3 6’s. The Dutch introduced Jeroen Mulder, Jan Philip and the wily Stefke Shotte – playing for the first time in years – and they shut down the CPCC runs effectively. Between the 12th and 20th over only 18 runs were scored. Stefke showed he had that old spark, 2-21 off 6 overs swung the momentum back to the locals and 150 seemed difficult to attain. The low bouncing wicket played some havoc with Artie, Mugsy, Deano and Lang G all getting out bowled inside the last 10 overs but CPCC managed to crawl to 152 for 7, considering the conditions not a bad total but well restricted by some excellent bowling late on. SOS Mulder only conceeded 12 runs in his first 5 overs, ended with 1-21 from 7, Marnix only conceeded 3 runs from his last 3 overs to finish with 2-27 from 7, and Bob Jan ended with 2-36 from 5 after sending in some of his bombs from his 7ft height.

So at half time it seemed that CPCC had set a reasonable total on an unpredictable wicket with the field a little sluggish, although the sun was shining now and a wonderful tea was about to be had.

As a momento of the day a series of commemorative flags were made and presented to players and officials. Given the hysterical and crazy orange scenes at the home of cricket on June 5th when the mighty Dutchies beat the hapless poms, it was felt that as the union jack forms part of the Australian flag, it was time to unveil a new flag. This flag represented the fact that the Dutch found Australia first, and secondly we aussies want to bow to a new cricketing powerhouse – Holland. These flags were unveiled to the national anthems and some typical corny Dutch music, but as many an CPCC member will testify, that flag waving shenanigans at tea led by Floris and Co highlighted the wonderful quirkiness and spirit of Dutch cricket. I wanted the tourists to become wrapped up in this cricketing madness – by now every Aussie had been swamped by it and loving every second. I told them it was going to be unique……I had no doubters.
As we left for the changerooms CPCC Tour Captain Deano said to me ‘If tea was that crazy, what was tonight going to be like’……little did we….or anyone know…….

CPCC took to the field with the desire to finish off the tour on the highest note, however the Dutchies wanted to spoil the on-field party. The wily Welshman Mike George strode out with Jeroen Van Meerten and were kept honest by some tight bowling by the Deefa and Tommy Carden early on. The Aussies got the breakthrough in the 5th over when Brendo caught Jeroen at Mid-off for 3, 1-14 after 5. Theo Lindemann joined the fray and showed some stern resilience in the face of decent bowling as the sun well and truly shone on the game by now. Doesn’t get any better in the Dam than that. The Welshman got to 14 before he pulled a lamb shank and had to retire hurt. At 3am it was noted that he was bogeying on down and his injury had evaporated but I sense the beers had killed the senses and we hope Mike that your knee gets better soon. Theo went eventually with the score on 54 and this brought the Rockstar El Presidente to the crease in the form of Ed Van Nierop. He was talking up a big innings but it fell flaccid with a mistimed hockey swipe to mid-wicket off the CPCC’s 11 year old star of the future – Jake Carden. Not statisfied with the flowing locks scalp of the Rockstar, he also sent Joep Offerman packing too, and his 2-15 off 4 overs got CPCC back into the match……..the greatest shame was that Willem Molenaar had to invoke the ICC rules about players under 13 only being able to bowl 4 overs in a row. Well done to Jake, an excellent effort not only in Amsterdam but across the whole tour.

At 4-59, the Dutchies looked like succumbing to the Aussies, much the way their football team had done 2-1 last year in Rotterdam (Het is stil aan de overkant…). However recent tourist to Oz in Bob Jan Spits was having none of it. One great aspect of captaining a team against players you know is you are able to set fields to them. Bob Jan has such a lovely drive on him that despite two men deep on the straight, he managed to clear them with lusty blows that saw him leave retired on 40 not out, earning the CPCC Man Of The Match award. He swung the ball back into the Dutchies favour with good support from Jan-Philip and Marnie. On 132 the Dutchies were 7 down and 21 short when Stefke Schotte letft the middle. 2 retired so it was time for number 11 to make his way to the crease. Number 11’s are meant to be bunnies but not this bloke. As he strode out I thought to myself ‘sjonge jonge jonge’…….what else can you think when Peter Borren – Dutch Vice Captain and the man who gives Paul Collingwood nightmares strides to the middle.

As a captain, not much point trying to set a field to this man, instead best put them in the canals at the end of the fields ready to catch the red hailstones about to fly. Brendo had the ball at this stage and he looked over and laughed…..what else could you do bowling to someone who has made a habit of clattering international bowlers to the fence first ball. When PB blocked the first ball, it was almost time to celebrate. When he let the 2nd ball go in respect to a decent pill we were doing cartwheels. PB no runs off 2 balls? Whats going on here. A leg bye gave him strike in the 30th over facing CPCC Tour Captain Deano Storey.
Again Deano looked to his skip as if to say where do I lob it……….first ball a dot then here it came…the dance down the wicket and boom….with consumate ease the ball was sent soaring out of the park with nothing more than a block from Pete. Thankully air traffic control at Schiphol had stopped using that runway over VRA…. Still 12 needed with 4 overs to go. Everything in VRA’s favour and with SOS Mulder playing some nice cover drives, the total was whittled down to 8 as Deano sent down the 32nd. PB decided 2nd ball was the right one to lose so he sent it out of the park again. Fair credit to Deano, when he sees Collingwood he can at least brag that PB didn’t belt him as far as he did PC at Lords – then again I am struggling to think of a bigger 6 in recent years anywhere by anyone. PB we salute you, a great moment in cricket.

With one run needed CPCC kindly decided that I should have the last over. Having not bowled for years due to a dodgy knee and with Peter Borren on strike, how could I resist. My first ball since 2004 totally deceived the Dutch captain and clattered into his pads. In true DK Lillee style I was imploring with the umpire Willem Winckel to give him out, even though we all knew it was careering down leg side. Sometimes you just have to appeal and hope. Pete hit the winning run off the next ball, but it was decided that I could finish the over. With my last ball I dug it in very short and SOS Mulders eyes lit up, however he skied it and was caught at mid-on. My first wicket for the club and a fitting way to end the tour…….until Mr Cricket Holland aka Rod Lyall informed me that he didn’t record it in his meticulous records as the match ended on the 2nd ball……booooooooo!!!!

So there endeth a lovely match between my Dutch cricketing family and my Sydney club that have been wonderful to play for from the very first moment. It is always so easy to enjoy playing at VRA and while it was a shame not to be able to play on the main ground, the 3rd innings was about to start. Being an integral part of social cricket the world over, our Dutch friends did not disappoint upon the terrace. In fact they went mad. The sun shone on the balcony as the beers flowed, the banter began as a new link was formed across the oceans between our two great clubs – one I hope only gets stronger as time goes on. The Dirk Hartog Plate was staying firmly entrenched in Amsterdam…..for now!

Ruth and Patrick turned it on YET again with a magic rijstafel, interspersed with plenty of ‘speeching’ as King Flo likes to call it. Once the food had been demolished and every CPCC member presented with something from VRA as an ongoing part of their incredible generosity, the tables were cleared to let the party begin.

A great barometer of how good a night is being had is seeing how many people are still there at 2am. There were about 35. The first CPCC casualties were around 1.30am but Jake Carden being only 11, you can understand. Patrick Hollander summed it up the next night when he said how at about 5am he turned to the hardy souls still going that ‘it was time to close the bar’…..to which he got the legendary response from an current international cricketer of ‘why?’.

Gezellig.

I have had many good days and nights down at VRA – so many in fact that it was one reason why I was so keen for my Sydney club to include it on the 2009 Tour itinery. The fact that over half our touring party went back to VRA on Saturday night was testament to just how much they enjoyed what VRA had to offer the previous day and night. From the umpires Willem I and Willem II, Mr Cricket Rod Lyall, and Mrs Turmaine who kept the scorebooks in order, to Patrick and Ruth who hospitality is legendary in cricketing cricles worldwide. From the VRA institutions that are Sander Tholen,Sieb Mulder, Floris Kapelle and Ed Van Nierop to all the Zami and current Dutch Internationals like Peter Borren – you all made the day extremely special. Add to that the CPCC players and touring party who weighed in big style after 3 and ½ weeks of touring and drinking that would have brought many undone – well done for one final monster. However there is one person I want to maker special mention of who has done a remarkable job in organising the day and has been a great friend for a decade now, Toon Hintzen. Without you mate this would not have been possible. The time you put in and the fact you sacrificed your playing spot to ensure everything ran smoothly is a great indication of the top bloke you are. You’re a legend ‘Statue’ and thanks from everybody involved. It was brilliant.

Finally – thank you Dutch cricket. I love it passionately and the joy I had when Stu Broad missed 3 stumps at Lords with the final ball made me realise that I am a Dutchman. Never has a result brought me such euphoria as that one. However after the clash of the Dirk Hartog Plate, I think that number has swelled considerably and lets hope we as Aussies can do what we can to promote and be part of VRA and Dutch cricket in the future because it is so special. So, so special. CPCC Tour 2013 of Holland with a one off match in England? Who knows. We certainly hope to see you down under in the near future but one things for sure, Dutch cricket is firmly on the map on the northern beaches of Sydney.

Tot volgende keer.

Mugsy