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Clinical Paarl Royals Storm into SA20 Qualifier 2 After 36-Run Victory

The Paarl Royals secured a convincing 36-run victory over the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 eliminator. Lhuan-dre Pretorius led the batting charge with a swift 51, supported by contributions across the lineup to set a target of 210. The Super Kings' chase faltered early, crippled by Hardus Viljoen's fiery opening spell and the absence of key players like Faf du Plessis. The Royals now advance to Qualifier 2 against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape for a spot in the final.

Key Points: Paarl Royals Beat Joburg Super Kings, Reach SA20 Qualifier 2

  • Pretorius scores 51 off 34 balls
  • Royals post imposing 210/5
  • Hardus Viljoen takes 3/24 in powerplay
  • JSK miss injured Faf du Plessis
  • Royals face Sunrisers in Qualifier 2
2 min read

SA20: Clinical Paarl Royals set Qualifier two clash against Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Paarl Royals defeat Joburg Super Kings by 36 runs in SA20 eliminator. Lhuan-dre Pretorius scores 51, setting up a Qualifier 2 clash with Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

"Lhuan-dre Pretorius starred with the bat... coming to the fore when it mattered most - SA20 Press Release"

Centurion, January 23

Lhuan-dre Pretorius starred with the bat with last season's leading run-scorer coming to the fore when it mattered most, as the Paarl Royals defeated Joburg Super Kings by 36 runs in the eliminator of SA20 season 4.

On Thursday, the powerful left-hander put a disappointing second season behind him with a 34-ball 51 that formed the bedrock of the Royals' imposing 210/5. His knock consisted of two fours and five sixes.

The rest of the Royals batters all chipped in from opener Kyle Verreynne (30 off 15 balls, with four boundaries and a six) through to Dan Lawrence (36 off 23 balls, two fours and three sixes), Sikandar Raza (35 off 19 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and Asa Tribe (30* not out off 16 balls, with three fours and a six), as per a press release from SA20.

Joburg Super Kings run-chase never left the starting blocks with 36-year-old fast bowler Hardus Viljoen turning back the clock to send down a rasping opening spell.

Viljoen (3/24) hurried up all the JSK batters with his pace to send Neil Timmers (8) and Matthew de Villiers (0) back to the pavilion within the powerplay. JSK certainly missed the experience of their injured captain, Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw during this period, as left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin and the competition's leading wicket-taker Ottneil Baartman also chipped in with a wicket apiece to reduce Super Kings to 40/4.

Stand-in captain James Vince (47 in 29 balls, with five fours and two sixes) and Wiaan Mulder attempted to rebuild JSK's innings with a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

It was brought to a close by another impressive Royals teenager, Nqobani Mokoena (1/31), who outsmarted Vince with an excellent slower ball to clean bowl the Englishman.

Mulder (41 off 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) attempted to keep the dwindling JSK flame flickering, but he too was outdone by the brilliance of Baartman (2/47 in four overs), who ended all hopes.

The Royals now travel down the NI1 South to the Wanderers to face Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Qualifier 2 on Friday evening. The winner will have the prized opportunity to head down to Cape Town to face Pretoria Capitals in Sunday's grand Final at Newlands.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Hardus Viljoen turning back the clock! At 36, that opening spell was pure fire. Pace is pace, yaar. JSK really missed Faf's calm head in the chase. The SA20 is producing some exciting cricket.
R
Rohit P
As an Indian cricket fan, it's fun to follow these leagues. Sikandar Raza chipping in is nice to see. But honestly, the coverage here could be better. Sometimes hard to find match highlights.
S
Sarah B
That's a massive total to chase. 210/5 is daunting. The Royals' batting depth was just too much. Looking forward to Qualifier 2. Hope it's a close game!
V
Vikram M
Baartman leading wicket-taker again! The man is a machine. Good to see South African domestic cricket getting this platform. The final at Newlands will be a great spectacle.
K
Karthik V
Impressive win. But the article focuses only on the stars. What about the fielding? In a high-scoring game, a dropped catch or a great save can be the difference. Would like more analysis on that aspect.

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