Paarl Royals secured a dramatic five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha, with David Miller’s heroics guiding them home in a nail-biting finish that required a wide delivery on the penultimate ball to seal victory.
Nineteen-year-old Nqobani Mokoena produced a sensational bowling performance, claiming four wickets for the Royals.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sunrisers began positively through Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow before Mokoena struck early, dismissing de Kock for 7 when the wicket-keeper nicked a delivery which Verreynne caught easily.
Bairstow responded with aggressive intent, striking consecutive boundaries off Mokoena in the fourth over before his entertaining knock of 33 (20) ended when he was caught following several big shots. The Sunrisers reached 46/2 as the powerplay concluded.
The middle order provided stability through Matthew Breetzke (13) and Tristan Stubbs, who combined with Jordan Hermann to guide the hosts to 106/3 by the 14th over. However, crucial partnerships were broken regularly as Stubbs (17) fell on the boundary and Marco Jansen (17) was caught by an excellent grab from Asa Tribe.
Hermann’s patient 47 (35) balls ended controversially when he was adjudged LBW, unsuccessfully appealing the decision. Mokoena completed his excellent spell by dismissing Senuran Muthusamy and Adam Milne in consecutive deliveries, finishing with remarkable figures of 4 wickets.
The Sunrisers managed 149 in the 20 overs, setting the Royals a target of 150 from 120 balls.
The chase began poorly as Tribe (7) departed cheaply, caught by Stubbs off Marco Jansen’s bowling in the fourth over. Lhuan-dre Pretorius enjoyed two fortunate escapes, a dropped catch and a caught-behind appeal that missed his bat by millimetres, before eventually falling for 11.
Kyle Verreynne (3) was clean bowled by Anrich Nortje, whilst Rubin Hermann (9) succumbed to Nortje’s pace and bounce, leaving the Royals struggling at 35/4.
Miller’s arrival changed the complexion entirely. The veteran all-rounder smashed a 92-metre six and gradually rebuilt the innings alongside Keagan Lion-Cachet. Miller reached his half-century in the 16th over, keeping the Royals competitive as the equation reduced to manageable proportions.
The match reached a crescendo in the final over with two runs required. Miller scored one to tie the game before Lion-Cachet 45 (40) was caught on the third delivery. However, a wide delivery on the penultimate ball handed the Royals victory.
You must be logged in to post a comment.