MI Cape Town: Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ SA20 season four burst into life with an unbeaten 98 to drive Paarl Royals to a thrilling one-run victory over MI Cape Town in the Western Cape derby at Boland Park.
Royals’ seamer Ottniel Baartman had 15 runs to defend in the final over, and after Kagiso Rabada smashed the third delivery for six over long off, it seemed the momentum had swung MI Cape Town’s way. But Baartman (4/51) had Rabada caught on the boundary the next ball before the equation was reduced to MI Cape Town requiring six off the final delivery for victory. George Linde made good contact by carving a length delivery over the covers, but the ball fell just inches short of the boundary rope which sent the Royals faithful into a frenzy.
Pretorius had endured a quiet start to the competition in the first couple of matches, but the league’s leading scorer of last season was back at his beloved home ground. The teenager was back to his belligerent best, cracking 10 boundaries and two sixes during his 65-ball stay at the crease. The Royals faithful were spurring Pretorius on to a maiden T20 century, but it was not to be, with Rabada delivering a dot ball to close out the Royals innings.
