Lhuan-dre Pretorius puts on royal show on SA20 debut

At Boland Park on Saturday, the SA20 Rising Star Lhuan-dre Pretorius gave South African cricket a look into the future by smashing 97 off 51 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes to lead Paarl Royals to a nine-wicket triumph over Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Still awaiting his Matric results, the 18-year-old was in dominant form as he and former England captain Joe Root shared a 132-run opening stand.

With authority, Lhuan-dre Pretorius pulled and drove, showcasing his power game.

On his SA20 debut, the seasoned Root at the non-striker’s end undoubtedly helped the former SA U19 star.

After Pretorius was caught leg before wicket by Marco Jansen, Root was his usual calm self, leading the Royals home with an undefeated 62 off 44 balls (4×4; 1×6).

The reigning champions lost to MICT at St George’s Park last Thursday night, and they have now lost for the second time in a row.

At the halfway point, Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram looked back to his best with a stylish 82 off 49 balls (7×4; 2×6), and everything appeared to be going considerably better. With the captain hammering the ball down the ground and delivering his signature square drive, it was a classic Markram innings.

Initially, Markram and Tom Abell (20 off 12 balls) cemented the Sunrisers innings with a 30-run partnership following the rapid dismissal of both openers, Jordan Hermann (10 off 11 balls) and Zak Crawley (27 off 18 balls).

However, it was Tristan Stubbs’ (28 not out off 26 balls) 102-run partnership off only 63 balls that made the Sunrisers’ 175/5 possible.

Kwena Maphaka, a teenage fast bowler for the Royals (2/35) demonstrated his ability to perform well under duress, however, as he maintained composure in the innings’ last over, taking out Marco Jansen and Markram. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, an Afghan spinner, also took home 2/27.

In the Western Cape derby at Newlands on Monday night, the Royals can now confidently travel down the N1 highway to face MI Cape Town.

On Tuesday night in Centurion, the Sunrisers will play the Pretoria Capitals in their next matchup, which will take place in the Highveld.