Over at Boland Park, the Paarl Royals beat the Pretoria Capitals by eleven runs on Saturday (25/1) to retain the number-one spot on the log as their fine form continued.

Batting first, the Royals were restricted to 140/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with the world's number-one-ranked Test batter and former England captain, Joe Root, scoring 78 not out off 56 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. The captain and big-hitting Proteas batter, David Miller, scored 29 off 18 at the backend of the innings.

Senuran Muthusamy was the most economical of the Capitals’ bowlers, taking 1/15 in four overs, while Kyle Simmonds claimed 1/14 in three overs.

In reply, Will Jacks with 56 and Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne with 30 were the only Capitals batters to reach double figures, as the visitors were restricted to 129/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Afghanistan international Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2/17 for the Royals, while Bjorn Fortuin claimed 2/20, and Root chipped in with 2/32.

Heinrich Klaasen. Photo: Cricinfo

Meanwhile, over at Newlands in Cape Town, MI Cape Town thrashed the bottom-of-the-log Durban Super Giants by seven wickets.

Batting first, DSG were restricted to 149/6 in their 20 overs. Proteas wicketkeeper and occasional captain Heinrich Klaasen smashed 66 off 43 balls, including five fours and four sixes, while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson scored 56 off 44.

Afghanistan and MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/34 in his four overs, while New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult claimed 1/16, and Proteas all-rounder George Linde finished with 1/20.

In reply, Ryan Rickelton scored 63 off 41 balls, including three fours and six sixes, while Linde smashed 29 not out off just eight balls, with one four and four sixes, as MI Cape Town chased down the target in just 14.5 overs.

The only DSG bowler to make an impression was their captain and Proteas spinner, Keshav Maharaj, who took 1/23, while Junior Dala and Noor Ahmad each claimed one scalp.

On Sunday, the Joburg Super Kings will be in action when they face the back-to-back defending champions, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Play at the Bullring is scheduled to get underway at 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg