A collective performance by the Pearl Royals batsmen was overshadowed by Teunis De Bruyne’s half-century as the hosts scored a six-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals at Borland Park, Pearl on Sunday (22 January) . Needing a 159 for the win, the Royals bounced back from a losing streak and won with two remaining deliveries as they won for the third time in seven games.
The Capitals went for a hit and lost early to Will Jack, but Kusal Mendis and De Bruyne formed a spirited 52-run partnership that provided good platform. A solid stand followed between De Bruyne and Rillee Rossouw helped the Capitals to 85/2 in 11 overs. However, back-to-back downs by Rossouw and Shane Dadswell made it 91/4. De Bruyne was 21-of-26 at this point and hit the accelerator when he stretched 50 on 42 balls. However, tight bowling at Fate allowed the Capitals to manage only 28 of his 4 overs in the final.
Jason Roy and Wihan Lubbe started the chase with a 48-run winning streak on power plays. Despite both opening games dropping back to back, Jos Butler and Dane Bilas controlled the side in pursuit of runs, scoring a streak of 65 runs on 49 deliveries. Will Jacks backed the Capitals with a wicket from a set batsman in 16 overs, leaving the Royals at 33 to get out of the final four overs. David Miller’s 28 not from 14 (including 3 4) and Mitchell Van Buuren’s run-a-ball 12 ensured there was no tension as the team crossed the line in the final over.
Brief scores: Pretoria Capitals 158/6 in 20 overs (Theunis de Bruyn 53, Kusal Mendis 37; Ferisco Adams 2-38) lost to Paarl Royals 162/4 in 19.4 overs (Jos Buttler 37, Wihan Lubbe 29; Will Jacks 2-7) by 6 wickets.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs. Durban Super Giants
Roelof van der Merwe’s best bowling show of the 6-20 tournament helped the Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat Durban Super his Giants by 124 runs in Sunday’s doubleheader. He was the leading destroyer and claimed six had his DSG get away with just 86. His team had previously shown clinical batting performances in which he struck 50 in both opening games, laying the foundation for a formidable total of 210/2.
Adam Rossington and Jordan Herman showed the Century opening stand in his under nine overs. The former was an attacker who hit 72, including 10 boundaries and four 6s, on just 30 balls. Hermann’s 59 turned to 44 and skipper Aiden for a 68-run partnership included 9 limit and 6 limit as he teamed with Mark Lamb (44* out of 34). Tristan Stubbs continued the attack with a strike rate of over 200, breaking down some strong chops in an unbeaten run from 27/13 and pushing his team to an impressive 210/2.
Van der Merwe then ran through his DSG lineup and was routed for 86. The only saving graces in their hunt were Weirn Mulder’s 29, when he scored 15 balls, and Keshav, who batted Maharaj with an insignificant 12 in his end.
Brief scores: Sunrisers Eastern Cape 210/2 in 20 overs (Adam Rossington 72, Jordan Hermann 59, Adien Markram 44*; Dwaine Pretorius 1-36) beat Durban Super Giants 86 all out in 14.4 overs (Wiaan Mulder 29; Roelof van der Merwe 6-20) by 124 runs