Paarl Rocks head coach Adrian Birrell is eager to capitalise on home ground advantage, during Monday’s Mzansi Super League final against the Tshwane Spartans.

The Rocks have never beaten the Spartans in the brief history of the tournament, which started last year.

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‘Obviously we haven’t come out on top against them. The first game last year we lost very closely, so that could have gone either way,’ said Birrrell.

‘Most of the others they’ve outplayed us. But I think playing here in Paarl gives us an added advantage. We are quite good at the moment in our own conditions.

‘You just have to take it like any other game before and try and win the game on the day. If we play a good game of cricket there’s a good chance that we win.

‘We don’t look at it and say we can’t beat them. We’ll look at it and say it’s a great opportunity for us to turn it around. I don’t think we’ve lost four to anyone else, so it’s due to turn the other way.’

The Rocks topped the 2019 MSL’s standings on the back of six victories in 10 matches, with three defeats and one washout.

‘We need to keep doing the same things, make sure the intensity is still there. We’ve done well to get to where we are at. We’re not relaxing thinking we’re there, we know that the biggest game is still yet to come,’ added Birrell.

‘There’s a great buzz in the squad, there’s a lot of excitement, guys are hungry and everyone is looking forward to Monday. It’s going to be fantastic. It’s going to be a fantastic occasion for Paarl and the Boland region.’

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