Paarl Rocks skipper Faf du Plessis believes that strike rotation was one of the keys to his side’s success in the Mzansi Super League clash against the Durban Heat on Sunday.

‘The new ball skids on more and the real game starts after six overs – and the difference (today) came in the rotation of the strike,’ said an exhausted Du Plessis after his match-winning 76 not out against the Durban Heat in a baking hot Paarl.

‘Very tired – a lot of twos there and the odd boundary in between,’ smiled a visibly relieved Du Plessis, whose side moved up to third in the log after their win. ‘The table is very close together. Every game you get, you have to make the most of it.’

A frustrated Heats captain Albie Morkel admitted his team were looking forward to the arrival of their international marquee player, Rashid Khan, who has missed the first six matches of the MSL, but will be available for the must-win last four matches of the Durban Heat’s fixtures.

‘Rashid is a world-class spinner. It will be awesome to play alongside him and hopefully he gives the extra edge for us,’ said Morkel after his side suffered a nine-wicket loss to the Rocks.

‘We’re doing the right things off the field, but it’s not happening for us on the field. It’s a common trend for us. After a start, we lose wickets. At Paarl 165 is par and Faf paced his innings well. It was tough to stop those twos, like (Faf) said.’

The Heat are still mathematically in contention for the playoffs, but will need to win all their matches and hope other results go their way.

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images