Paarl Royals captain David Miller smashed 71* off 38 balls at St George’s Park to secure his team’s first win of the SA20 season.

The Royals chased down the Sunrisers’ 149 all out with two balls and five wickets to spare.

The Royals were in deep trouble early on, with Sunrisers fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje blowing away the visitors’ top-order. Jansen claimed his 50th SA20 wicket in the process.

Royals stumbled to a precarious 35-4, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Asa Tribe, Rubin Hermann and Kyle Verreynne all back in the pavilion.

It was at this critical juncture that Miller stepped up to guide his side through the turmoil. Showing off all his experience, he forged a pivotal partnership with Keagan Lion-Cachet, who contributed 45 off 40 deliveries.

The duo shared a 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket, turning the tide for the Royals, with Lion-Cachet falling just short of the finish line.

The St George’s Park crowd, who were baying for a miracle and a dramatic Super Over, had their hopes dashed when Lewis Gregory delivered a fateful wide that confirmed the Royals’ victory.

Earlier, the Royals delivered yet another teenage starlet with Nqobani Mokoena delivering a four-star performance in just his second SA20 appearance. The 19-year-old seamer claimed career-best figures of 4-34, which included the golden wicket of Quinton de Kock in the powerplay.

Jonny Bairstow (33) and Jordan Hermann (47) tried to keep the Sunrisers’ innings afloat, but Mokoena kept on striking along with Ottneil Baartman enjoying a happy return to his former hunting ground with figures of 3-36.

The Sunrisers will remain at the head of the SA20 table with 10 points heading into new year, while the Royals have moved off the basement.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics