Saturday’s SA20 double-header at Boland Park and the Wanderers will have a major impact on the table.
The Paarl Royals (15) and Pretoria Capitals (11) are separated by only four points and a bonus-point victory for the visitors could see them overtake their Winelands rivals in second place, although the Royals do have a game in hand.
David Miller’s Royals, meanwhile, have an opportunity to pole-vault to the top of the log should they claim a bonus-point victory of their own ahead of the evening clash at the Bullring where the Joburg Super Kings meet MI Cape Town.
JSK will be hoping to exact revenge after losing a 12-over shootout to MICT at Newlands, while Rashid Khan’s side will be desperate to maintain their winning momentum after finally getting over the line.
The Royals have been the surprise package this season after completing the Western Cape derby double over MICT and are still the only team to beat log leaders the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Captain Miller is embracing the fact that the Royals are firmly under the radar.
“I think there was a lot of criticism with the auction, getting a full amount of experienced players and we’ve got a youthful team and so on and so on. The reality is I think everyone thinks we’re underdogs and we’ve kind of got no chance,” Miller said.
“So we’ve kind of squared up with ourselves and spoken about it. And for me, it’s just about making sure that we’re doing the right things. We’re really clear and we really bring a good attitude, commitment to the cause.”
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The Capitals are brimming with confidence after a 15-run victory over Durban’s Super Giants at Kingsmead mid-week, and none more so than fit-again fast bowler Gideon Peters.
“I think just for me being back on a cricket field is so nice. I haven’t played a professional match in about nine months, so it’s flipping amazing playing and then I’m playing my first game in nine months in SA20,” said Peters, who claimed 3-35 upon his return.
“It’s just awesome being able to bowl and not have pain and I’m so happy to just be on the field.”
JSK will be eager to improve their catching at the Wanderers after a couple of indifferent displays of late.
“I think it’s been a mixed bag. It’s a lot to do with confidence. I think you generally find teams that are at the top end of the ladder catching and the ones at the bottom aren’t,” JSK assistant coach Eric Simons said.
“That’s just the way it goes because it’s about confidence. But I’m sure we’ll see some great ones along the way again. These tournaments are tough.”
MICT all-rounder George Linde has adopted a more philosophical approach to the challenges that lay ahead of his team.
“If you look after the small things in the changeroom, the bigger things will look after themselves,” Linde said.
Saturday’s matches start at 1pm and 5:30pm.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics
