Lungi Ngidi and Jos Buttler steered the Paarl Royals to a seven-wicket bonus-point victory over the Joburg Super Kings at Boland Park on Wednesday.
The Royals maintained their 100% record with a third consecutive victory, while the Super Kings remain winless after four matches.
Unlike in previous matches at Boland Park where the spinners have dominated, it was the Royals seamers who set up this win.
Obed McCoy (2-31) got the Royals in motion by removing Reeza Hendricks, before the impressive Ngidi got into the act in the final over of the powerplay.
The tournament’s leading wicket-taker pegged back the Super Kings with wickets off successive balls when he clean bowled Faf du Plessis (10) before having debutant Wayne Madsen caught by Mitchell van Buuren at third man for a first-ball duck.
Lungi Ngidi is on fire. 🏏🔥#Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible #PRvJSK pic.twitter.com/fG5q2SmBpe
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 17, 2024
Ngidi (3-17) couldn’t claim the first hat-trick of the competition when Moeen Ali defended the next ball, but returned at the death to claim his third wicket of the evening.
The Super Kings also suffered three run outs, including that of top-scorer Leus du Plooy (71 off 43 balls), to be dismissed for 134.
Royals wicketkeeper Buttler was pivotal to the run-outs as he threw down the stumps on two occasions with the Super Kings looking to steal a single.
HIGHLIGHTS: Paarl Royals vs Joburg Super Kings (SA20)
The Royals’ run-chase was never in danger with Buttler masterminding the chase superbly with an undefeated 70 off 37 balls (8×4, 3×6).
The England captain, who was the tournament’s leading run-scorer in last season, looked in ominous form ahead of the weekend’s derbies against MI Cape Town.
Wihan Lubbe provided support with a 30-ball 39 before veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir trapped him lbw.
However, it proved to be a mere consolation for the visitors, who will now look to turn their season around in the Jukskei derbies against the Pretoria Capitals.
Photo: Nic Bothma/Sportzpics
