Lhuan-dre Pretorius offered South African cricket with a glimpse into the long run after the SA20 Rising Star smashed 97 off 51 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes to energy Paarl Royals to a nine-wicket victory over Sunrisers Jap Cape at Boland Park on Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who continues to be awaiting his Matric outcomes, was in imperious type as he shared a 132-run opening stand with former England captain Joe Root.
Pretorius’ energy sport was on full show as he pulled and drove with authority. The previous SA U19 prodigy definitely benefitted from having the skilled Root on the non-striker’s finish on his Betway SA20 debut.
Root was his typically composed self as he steered the Royals residence with an undefeated 62 off 44 balls (4×4; 1×6) after Pretorius was trapped LBW by Marco Jansen.
The defending champions have now slumped to a second successive defeat after their opening loss to MICT at St George’s Park final Thursday evening.
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All of it gave the impression to be going a lot better on the midway interval when Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram returned to type with a cultured 82 off 49 balls (7×4; 2×6). It was a classic Markram innings with the skipper hauling out his trademark sq. drive, whereas additionally muscling the ball straight down the bottom.
Markram initially solidified the Sunrisers innings with Tom Abell (20 off 12 balls) by way of a 30-run partnership after the lack of each openers Zak Crawley (27 off 18 balls) and Jordan Hermann (10 off 11 balls) in fast succession.
Nevertheless it was the 102-run partnership off solely 63 balls with Tristan Stubbs (28 not out off 26 balls) that arrange the Sunrisers’ 175/5.
Royals teenage quick bowler Kwena Maphaka (2/35) confirmed his capability to execute beneath stress although as he held his nerve within the remaining over of the innings by selecting up the wickets of each Markram and Marco Jansen. Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman additionally collected 2/27.
The Royals can now head down the N1 freeway stuffed with confidence to satisfy MI Cape City within the Western Cape derby at Newlands on Monday night.
The Sunrisers journey as much as the Highveld for the following conflict in opposition to the Pretoria Capitals on Tuesday evening at Centurion.
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