Fast bowler Ottneil Baartman starred with a second career five-wicket haul at SuperSport Park on Thursday evening, leading the Paarl Royals to a six-wicket victory and into next week’s playoffs with two matches in hand.
Who would have thought the Paarl Royals would make the playoffs this season?
Probably no one, given that they had what seemingly had the worst auction in Johannesburg a few months ago.
However, their collective team effort, once again, prevailed as the Royals progressed to their fourth consecutive playoff berth, despite not boasting precious few big names relative to the other five teams in the tournament.
Baartman, who was signed for R5.1 million in the auction, repaid every penny on Thursday evening, as the quick returned figures of 5/16, carrying the Royals on his back.
The 32-year-old registered the tournament’s second ever hat-trick, as he dismissed Andre Russell, Lizaad Williams and Lungi Ngidi in successive deliveries in the 19th over, taking his season wicket tally to 16, the most in the tournament thus far.
With his heroics, Baartman now also has the most wickets (57) in the history of the SA20, as he surpassed former teammate Marco Jansen (52).
Despite the low total, the Capitals’ Sherfane Rutherford had yet another solid performance on Thursday as he smashed three sixes and one boundary enroute to a 20-ball 29 before Hardus Viljoen (2/17) accounted for him.
While Baartman stole the show, spinner Sikandar Raza continued his impressive form with the ball, as he returned figures of 2/29 in his allotted four overs.
With a foundation set by the Paarl Royals’ bowling group, it was up to the batters to finish the job, as they aimed to chase a low 128 runs to win.
Despite the low target, the Capitals bowlers were full of confidence, having defended 138 against the same batting group a week ago. New ball pair Lizaad Williams (2/28) and Lungi Ngidi (1/24) did not make it easy for the visiting batters, as Williams struck early, dismissing Lhuan-dre Pretorius (1) and Asa Tribe (5) to get themselves into the game.
However, Rubin Hermann (46) and Dan Lawrence (41) put together a 52-run partnership that virtually sealed the victory for the visitors.
David Miller (28 not out) finished the match off, sending the Royals to the playoffs, as they joined the Sunrisers Eastern Cape as the only teams to book a spot in next week’s playoffs.
