All-rounder Ferisco Adams relished a starring role in the Paarl Rocks’ 31-run win over the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in Wednesday’s Mzansi Super League fixture at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

Adams returned to the XI with a brisk 23 down the order in a final total of 166-7. He then snared the wickets of all-rounder Chris Morris and tailender Junior Dala, as the Giants were limited to 135 all out.

‘It is nice to be back in the team. It is good to contribute in the team’s win, even if I was not comfortable with the first couple of balls. As a bowling unit, we bowled well. I love bowling at the death, it is a nice challenge,’ said Adams, who was named Player of the Match.

The right-arm seamer was well supported by spinners Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi, who also clinched two wickets each. Fast bowler Hardus Viljoen, too, completed a brace.

With the result the Rocks overtook the Giants at the top of the 2019 tournament’s six-team standings.

The Cape Town Blitz will host the Durban Heat at Newlands on Thursday. The Jozi Stars, meanwhile, have slipped to six successive defeats.

They are the reigning champions, after beating the Blitz in last year’s inaugural final and will be without West Indian batsman Chris Gayle for the remainder of the 2019 MSL. Gayle has returned to the Caribbean and will be replaced by Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik.

Photo: BackPagePix