Match Report: 16th Annual ACC vs VRA Test

The 16th edition of the annual ACC–VRA three-day test match once again lived up to its reputation as a festival of cricket, camaraderie, and drama. After ACC’s historic first victory last year, they came into this year’s contest as defending champions, proudly holding the trophy—albeit not the original Barrel, which has long since disappeared into the attic of Jan Willem Beuker. In its place, the captains had commissioned a gleaming new glass cup, which both sides dearly wished to claim.

The match began under heavy skies on Friday afternoon, with VRA captain Prasuk Jain winning the toss and electing to bat. His counterpart, ACC skipper Ezzat Muhseni, was more than happy to unleash his bowlers in helpful conditions. VRA’s openers, however, proved stubborn, forcing ACC to search for breakthroughs. The introduction of Bart Sandberg turned the tide: in a spell of inspired bowling, he claimed four vital wickets and restricted VRA’s ambitions. By stumps, ACC had reduced VRA to 140 for 8.

On Saturday morning, VRA’s tail wagged, aided by some weary glove work from keeper and club chairman Joost Bakker. Much to Muhseni’s frustration, the score continued to climb before he himself struck to remove the ninth wicket. The coup de grâce came from Siddharth Goyal, who produced the delivery of the match to end the innings.

ACC’s reply began with the two Seans, Ellicott and Walsh, who batted serenely through to lunch. The afternoon, however, brought quick dismissals for Ellicott and Richard Wolfe. It was then that Sean Walsh displayed true test-match grit. With calm partnerships alongside Muhseni and Kalyan, he compiled a magnificent 118, the bedrock of ACC’s innings. Contributions from Axaya, Guy, and a fluent unbeaten 40 from Nagesh carried ACC to an imposing 354.

The third and final day began with drama even before a ball was bowled: Joost Bakker, whose attendance had been in doubt, failed to appear at the crease and was duly given “timed out.” From there, ACC’s lead of 164 loomed large. Their bowlers struck early, reducing VRA to three down inside four overs, seemingly ending the contest. Yet Martin staged a counterattack, crafting a defiant fifty that kept his side afloat. Harpreet Singh’s wicket, claimed by Sandberg, and two more scalps from Muhseni shifted momentum once more, but Prasun stood tall, showcasing dogged resistance and, for the first time in the match, putting VRA ahead. Just as belief began to build, a lapse in concentration led to a careless run-out, and the innings ended.

That left ACC with 44 runs to chase. Any thought of a procession seemed quickly quashed: Sean Walsh, hero of the first innings, fell lbw to the very first ball, prompting whispers that the umpire was keen to add drama. The chase grew tense as wickets tumbled, five falling in quick succession. It required the calm hand of captain Muhseni, whose pair of boundaries eased nerves and guided ACC home. Victory was sealed, and the gleaming new trophy remained in Amsterdam.

As ever, the cricket was only part of the story. Off the field, friendships were renewed, laughter carried late into the night, and one unfortunate unmentioned object made its fiery sacrifice to tradition. The 16th ACC–VRA test will be remembered as another classic—hard-fought, unpredictable, and above all, thoroughly enjoyable.

Result: ACC win by 5 wickets. Trophy retained.

Ezzat Muhseni