RL:
With both sides something of an unknown quantity at this stage, this is likely to be battle between Dosti’s experience and ACC’s youth. The switch of venue may work in ACC’s favour, but despite the losses they have suffered I think Dosti may just have the edge in what will be a hard-fought battle.
BdJ:
Yes, last year's runners-up will be a tough first test for Saqib Zulfiqar as skipper, though they'll be without Ackermann and Bukhari this year. Dosti's two big signings Theron and Kohli may be the difference on Saturday, with ACC also reliant on emerging youth players and still waiting on their as-yet-unannounced keeper-coach.
HBS Den Haag vs HCC (Craeyenhout)
RL:
The artificial Craeyenhout outfield often yields big totals, but with both sides probably stronger in bowling than in batting, this may be an exception. It’s a big test for HBS first up, and if coaches Vandiar and Ninan hit the ground running it may be HCC who come out on top.
BdJ:
I might have backed back HCC in this one too, but I'm not so sure it will be a low-scoring affair. HBS have a stronger top order than in recent years with the addition of Rutgers and Morgan and the continued improvement of Visee. And this HBS attack conceded only 3 scores over 160 in last season's Hoofdklasse, though I wouldn't bet against the likes of Vandiar or Overdijk providing them a stern reintroduction to the Topklasse, the hosts are have come back a stronger side than they left.
Punjab Rotterdam vs Quick Haag (Zomercomplex)
RL:
Punjab are an unknown quantity at this level, while Quick were unfortunate not to make the final last year and will again have a well-balanced outfit. The Rotterdam side have the ability to spring some surprises this season against more established sides, but Quick’s experience is likely to tell on this occasion.
BdJ:
Again, no argument here. This Quick side is much the same outfit that made the finals in 3 of the last 4 years, the only major difference being a change in overseas players and new faces Bredenkamp and van Wyngaardt both have solid records back in South Africa. So there will be no easy introduction for Punjab in their inaugural top flight fixture. Home advantage and unfamiliarity may play in favour of the underdogs, but a Punjab win would certainly be a major upset.
Hermes-DVS Schiedam vs VOC Rotterdam (Sportpark Harga)
RL:
The season opens with a confrontation between the Takapuna teammates Dan ter Braak (Hermes) and Max O’Dowd (VOC), now on opposing sides, with Pieter Seelaar again turning out against his former club. The Hermes accent is strongly on youth, but this is another encounter where experience will probably be a key factor, although Stef Myburgh is always capable of settling a match with one of his major innings.
BdJ:
It's doing Hermes something of a disservice to call them a one man show, but they won just two matches last season without a major Myburgh contribution. They've been hit with a couple of serior retirements over the winter too, and though they've shown themselves capable of springing upsets – especially at home – an appreciably stronger VOC are near-unanimous favourites for the title this season, and so they will be tomorrow.
VRA Amsterdam vs Excelsior ’20 Schiedam (Amstelveen)
RL:
Defending champions Excelsior open their campaign in the Amsterdamse Bos against a VRA side keen to make up for the disappointments of recent seasons. But VRA haven’t beaten Excelsior at home since their championship campaign in 2011, and if the Schiedam side can recapture the form they showed last year they may again return south with the points.
BdJ:
I would have picked VRA to upset the defending champions if you'd asked me last week, but sadly the injury and availability misery that dogged the Amsterdammers last season seems to have descended again in time for the opening match. Word is they're short four front-line bowlers in Leon Turmaine, Fred Klaasen, Jeroen Mulder and Adeel Raja, and overseas all-rounder Savajit Singh is also in doubt. The pool of fringe players and youngsters that they were forced to rely on last summer is stronger than it was, but Excelsior have a strong and settled side, a winning record in Amsterdamse Bos, and a Topklasse title under their belt.
Form Guide:
[Note: These tables show the results of this fixture over the past ten seasons. ‘W’ means a win for the home side, ‘L’ a defeat, ‘T’ a tie, ‘N’ no result. Matches played on the opponent’s ground or a neutral venue are shown in square brackets.]:
Rod Lyall’s predictions: Dosti United, HCC, Quick Haag, VOC, Excelsior.
Bertus de Jong’s predictions: Dosti United, HBS, Quick Haag, VOC, Excelsior.