Durban’s Super Giants crush Paarl Royals in top-of-the-table SA20 clash

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 27 Jan 2024

PAARL: Quinton de Kock and JJ Smuts scored half-centuries and propelled Durban’s Super Giants to a resounding 57-run victory over leaders Paarl Royals in the top-of-the-table SA20 clash here on Friday.

Opting to bat first, the Super Giants registered a massive total of 190/3 on the board, courtesy of de Kock and Smuts’ fifties.

The visitors, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they were two down in 3.4 overs with just 24 runs on the board.

Out-of-form wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock then joined Smuts in the middle and turned the game on its head.

The pair went after the Royals’ bowlers amid their 118-run stand for the third wicket and both scored fifties.

Smuts, however, failed to stretch his brilliant knock and perished in the 18th over after scoring 52 off 39 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries and a six.

Meanwhile, de Kock stood his ground firm and carried his bat all the way through for an unbeaten 83. His 51-ball knock featured five boundaries and as many sixes.

The left-handed batter was massively supported by Heinrich Klaasen at the backend, who scored 30 not out. He smashed two boundaries and three sixes amid his brisk cameo.

For the Royals, Obed McCoy, Bjorn Fortuin and Lungi Ngidi made one scalp each.

In pursuit of the 181-run target, the Royals could accumulate 133 before being bundled out in the final over despite Jos Buttler’s 45.

The home side lost wickets at an alarming rate which halted the flow of runs.

Buttler, who carried his bat till the 12th over, waged a lone battle with a gutsy 45 off 36 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six.

Andile Phehlukwayo (18) and Bjorn Fortuin (13) were the next notable contributors to the Royals’ total.

Marcus Stoinis led the bowling attack for the Super Giants with three wickets, followed by Reece Topley and Keshav Maharaj, who picked up two each.

The 57-run victory lifted Durban’s Super Giants to pip Paarl Royals at the top of the SA20 standings with 23 points in seven matches.