Wihan Lubbe’s half-century and Bjorn Fortuin’s three-wicket haul secured a 10-run victory for the Paarl Royals over Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 at Boland Park on Tuesday.
The visitors made an early breakthrough when Jason Roy (three) was dismissed by Hardus Viljoen but a 53-run second-wicket partnership between Lubbe (57 off 36) and Jos Buttler (35 off 27) got the innings back on track.
Viljoen with an absolute beauty, and Roy is sent packing! #Betway #SA20pic.twitter.com/p4OpwvCsG1
— SA Cricket magazine (@SACricketmag) January 17, 2023
Once the pair departed, it seemed the Royals would struggle to reach the 150-run mark. However, some big hits by captain David Miller (28 off 19) and Ferisco Adams (10* off four) saw the home side end their innings on a competitive 169-6.
Royals spinner Fortuin (3-14) then ripped through the Super Giants‘ top order, claiming the wickets of Kyle Mayers (12 off 11), Quinton de Kock (nought), and Dwaine Pretorius (nought) to leave the visitors reeling on 29-3 after 4.3 overs.
Bjorn Fortuin bags 3/14 for @paarlroyals – what an effort in the heat 😎#PRvDSG #Betway #SA20 | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/omF98sXh26
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 17, 2023
Wickets continued to fall just as it seemed the Super Giants were getting themselves back into the game, which stifled their momentum to leave them on 68-4 at the halfway mark.
Heinrich Klaasen (56* off 39 balls) combined with Keshav Maharaj (17 off 10 balls) for a quick-fire 26-run partnership to get the Super Giants back in the contest.
HIGHLIGHTS: Paarl Royals vs Durban’s Super Giants
Evan Jones (4-32) came up trumps in the 18th over, removing Maharaj and Hardus Viljoen in successive deliveries to leave the Super Giants requiring 33 runs off the final 12 balls.
Jones, having to defend 19 runs off the final over, conceded just eight to secure a second victory at home.
