• Royals seek big response in SA20 eliminator

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    The Paarl Royals will be looking to hit back against the Joburg Super Kings in Thursday’s eliminator playoff at Centurion.

    The Royals come into the clash on the back of a heavy defeat to JSK in their last league-stage match on Monday. David Miller’s men are still searching for a win since securing qualification for the playoffs and now need a complete performance to keep their campaign alive.

    “We had a bit of an off game two matches ago,” said all-rounder Dan Lawrence. “That was just one of those days where nothing really went our way. With the nature of this competition, you’re never going to play 10 perfect games in the league stage.

    “In the last game, I thought we played a fairly decent game of cricket. We were probably just missing one more contribution with the bat, and I think that would have made it a tight contest.

    “For Thursday, it’s all about turning up and being focused on the job at hand, which is winning. I’m very confident that if we play to our potential, we’ll be more than fine.”

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    The Royals are still hopeful that Miller will pass a late fitness test, but Lawrence is on standby to lead the side should the captain be ruled out.

    Lawrence believes the Royals’ recent outings on the Highveld could work in their favour against JSK.

    “In the two games we’ve played up here, we had a really good win when we chased down a modest total, and we were also in a strong position before the rain and lightning came in Joburg,” he said.

    “We’ll take a lot of encouragement from that. We also played JSK just a few days ago, so their team is very fresh in our minds. I’m sure we’ll come in all guns blazing.”

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    JSK, meanwhile, head into the eliminator buoyed by their crucial win over the Royals in Paarl, which secured their place in the playoffs.

    “It’s obviously nice coming into this game off the back of a win against the same opposition,” said stand-in captain James Vince. “But it’s a new day, a new game and different conditions.

    “What happened a few days ago gives us some confidence, but we know Thursday will be a different challenge against a good side, so we’ll need to make a few adjustments.

    “I’ve got a lot of confidence in the group. In T20 cricket, it only takes one or two players to have a day out and put you on the right side of the result.

    “As long as we believe in that and take the field with the right mindset, hopefully a couple of guys can put their hands up and deliver a match-winning performance.”

    Thursday’s match starts at 5:30pm.

    Photo: Ron Gaunt/Sportzpics

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    Simon Borchardt