Match 12, Centurion, January 18, 2025, 04:30 PM
Pretoria Capitals
212/5(20.0ov)
Paarl Royals
213/2(19.4ov)
Paarl Royals beat Pretoria Capitals by 8 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Joe Root
Commentry
Well, it has been a good day if you are a Royals fan. The Paarl Royals head back home next, to Paarl, to take on Joburg Super Kings, on Monday, 20th January, 2025. The Pretoria Capitals on the other hand, travel to Gqeberha, to meet Sunrisers Eastern Cape after a bit of a break, on Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025. We are done from this game, but don't go anywhere. The next game, which is between MI Cape Town and Joburg Super Kings in Cape Town, is scheduled to begin at 9 pm IST (1530 GMT) but our buildup has already begun. Do head over to that matchcentre!
Victorious captain of Paarl Royals, DAVID MILLER, says that he thought it was a very good wicket and feels unlucky for his bowlers. On the batting, he says that the plan was to build partnerships and take the game as deep as possible. Informs that the changes in the playing XI were purely tactical and is happy that they worked out. Is happy for Rubin Hermann for doing well in his very first game of the season. Praises Joe Root for doing well and calls him one of the best in the world, sharing with us that he and Root enjoy an old bond, having played for Yorkshire in English county.
The captain of Pretoria Capitals, RILEE ROSSOUW, says that they always felt that it was a decent wicket and credits the Royals for gunning through. On taking advice or help, Rossouw credits James Neesham and Kyle Verreynne for helping him out in terms of difficulty. Admits that fielding did let them down in this game.
Paarl Royals' JOE ROOT HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for a wonderful unbeaten 92 (60). Tells that he has been enjoying his time in South Africa, calling it a wonderful place to play cricket. On chasing the target down, Root puts it down to the experience in that batting lineup, citing David Miller as the main man in terms of experience. Details that he only thought about not panicking and taking it deep. Adds that with the ground dimensions being so small, one could always make up for lost time.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the game, the Pretoria Capitals put on a commanding 212 on the board after electing to bat. Unlike the Royals, the batters had small but meaningful contributions which saw batters try and hit from the word go. Towards the end, they just accelerated into 5th gear, and they would be highly aggrieved if they were to be told that they were 15-20 runs short! Amidst the carnage, Mujeeb Ur Rahman stood out with figures of 4-0-28-2. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
A tough pitch for all the bowlers. Will Jacks actually bowled well with figures of 4-0-33-1 but everyone else went for a tour around the SuperSport Park. Actually, the fielding let them down as well, with plenty of misfields and dropped catches. Rossouw will definitely agree that they could have put in a better effort with the ball.
Who says technically correct batters cannot play this format? Joe Root, one of the finest technicians of the sport, hit an unbeaten 92 in just 60 balls, which had 11 fours and 2 sixes. Yes, early on, he was a bit too eager, trying his reverse ramps and all, but once he found his touch, he was a treat to watch. He batted through, ensuring that there was no collapse.
Well, let's rephrase the previous paragraph. Cannot say a perfect batting masterclass. The event happened so long ago that we totally forgot! Lhuan-dre Pretorius was dismissed on the first ball of the chase but that was all about the joys that Pretoria got. After that, they witnessed a 125-run stand between Joe Root and Rubin Hermann and even though they did break that stand, the platform was set. David Miller then came in and staged an unbeaten 88-run stand for the third wicket with Root and took his side through.
What a thumping win by Paarl Royals. They have moved to the top of the table by gunning down 213. It was a big target to try and gun down but a batting masterclass on a wonderful pitch has seen the Royals come out triumphant.
In over# 20
2
1
1
4
James Neesham 40/1(3.4)
19.4
2
DROPPED! One of the major woes for Pretoria Capitals in the game. Fielding. Full and wide outside off, David Miller reaches out and looks to go inside out. Does not hit it cleanly and the fielder from wide long off gets to the ball with a dive. Takes the catch, but while diving, the ball pops out. The batters take the second and PAARL ROYALS WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND 2 BALLS TO SPARE!
19.3
1
A full toss, outside off, Joe Root bunts it over the bowler for a quick single. Rilee Rossouw charges across from mid off but does not pick up the ball. A single taken. 2 needed from 3 now.
19.2
1
That was nearly the game! Down the leg side, Miller clips it fine but cannot get it past short fine leg. A run taken. 3 needed from 4 balls now.
19.1
4
FOUR! That halves the runs required! A length ball, outside off, David Miller heaves it through mid-wicket and finds the boundary! Just 4 more needed from 5 balls now.
Who bowls the final over? 7 to defend. James Neesham has been given the ball. 3-0-32-1 so far. Square leg, short leg, short third, backward point and cover are up. Some more changes to the field now. Backward point goes to sweeper.
In over# 19
0
4
0
2
0
3
Tiaan van Vuuren 51/0(4)
18.6
.
Another slower ball, outside off, Joe hits it back to the bowler. Tiaan van Vuuren finishes with figures of 4-0-51-0.
18.5
4
FOUR! The target comes into single figures now! Full and wide outside off, Joe Root reaches out, opens the face of his bat and guides it to the left of short third! Moves to 91 (58) and that is his 11th four. The stand moves to 80 (43). 8 needed from 7 balls now.
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