0
0
The spin duo of Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin spun a web around the MI Cape Town batsmen as the Paarl Royals secured a 59-run in the Betway SA20 Cape derby at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday afternoon.
Fortuin claimed 3-15 in his four overs while Shamsi claimed 2-11 in four overs, with a maiden, as MI Cape Town were bowled out for just 103 in 18.2 overs in reply to the Royals’ 162 for three after Kieron Pollard had won the toss and asked David Miller’s men to bat first.
The victory is the first for the Royals over MI Cape Town and extends their lead at the top of the log to five points after securing a bonus-point, having restricted the visitors below 129. The toal achieved by MI Cape Town is also the lowest total this season while the victory margin is the biggest this term as well.
Fortuin had the Paarl crowd in ecstasy as he claimed the wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and Dewald Brevis in consecutive balls, both without scoring. Ryan Rickelton, this season’s leading run scorer, manged just five runs before hoisting Obed McCoy (3-1-18-2) into the heavens where Andile Phehlukwayo settled on the leg side to take the catch.
Connor Esterhuizen provided some resistance, striking three boundaries in a 36-ball innings of 32, sharing in MI Cape Town’s biggest partnership of 39 with Sam Curran (18). However, Esterhuizen then drove Phehlukwayo (3-0-28-1) down towards deep backward point where Wihan Lubbe claimed the catch.
Liam Livingstone struck two fours and a six from 16 balls but then slapped Lungi Ngidi (3.2-0-26-2) down towards long off where Dane Vilas, on the field for the injured Miller, claimed the catch. By this time, the chase was all but over. Shamsi accounted for Curran and then bagged the big fish, trapping Pollard in front without scoring.
Thomas Kaber had some lusty blows but was caught in the deep by Lubbe off McCoy before Ngidi had the final say, clean-bowling Kagiso Rabada for six.
Earlier, a 116-run opening stand between Jason Roy (69) and Jos Buttler (54) laid the foundation for the Royal’s total of 162. Roy was aggressive as he was on Friday evening, striking eight fours and a six from 46 balls while Buttler faced 42 balls and struck five boundaries and a six.
Kaber (4-0-24-1) had Roy caught at short fine leg by Nuwan Thushara before Thushara (4-0-27-2) bagged two wickets in as many balls, clean-bowling Buttler and then trapping Fabian Allen in front without scoring.
Miller, who had faced 20 balls and struck two boundaries, had to retire hurt for 24 after injuring his calf going for a second run.
MI Cape Town next host the Durban Super Giants at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday while the Royals travel to Johannesburg to face-off against the Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers Stadium.
*As published on Supersport.com
