Joe Root leads Paarl Royals to SA20 playoffs with all-round brilliance

Joe Root’s exceptional performance with both bat and ball propelled the Paarl Royals into the playoffs of SA20 Season 3 after an 11-run victory over the Pretoria Capitals at Boland Park on Saturday. The Royals became the first team in the tournament to secure a playoff spot, topping the leaderboard with 24 points.

Root delivered a sublime innings, scoring an unbeaten 78 runs on a challenging surface under scorching midday heat. His display of orthodox cricket shots, coupled with innovative strokes like a switch hit off Will Jacks, underscored his class and experience.

The Royals struggled early in their innings, with their top order faltering under the relentless Paarl sun. However, Root’s steady presence stabilized the innings. Captain David Miller joined Root late in the game, contributing an impactful 29 runs off 18 balls. Their unbroken 59-run partnership off 33 balls lifted the Royals to a defendable total of 140/4.

Speaking about his approach, Root said, “The most important thing is to read the surface and figure out the score you need. Today was about being brave enough to take it deeper, and we executed that plan well.”

The Royals made history by becoming the first SA20 team to bowl an entire innings with only spin bowlers. Their five-man spin attack, featuring Bjorn Fortuin, Dunith Wellalage, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nqaba Peter, and Root, proved too much for the Capitals to handle.

Fortuin (2/20) and Wellalage set the tone early, reducing the Capitals to 23/3 during the Powerplay. While Will Jacks (56 off 53 balls) and Kyle Verreynne (30 off 33 balls) mounted a comeback with a 77-run partnership, the Royals’ spinners held firm. Mujeeb removed Verreynne at a crucial juncture, and Root claimed two wickets in the death overs to seal the victory.

Root emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions, stating, “The lack of bounce made it hard to get after. I didn’t expect it to spin as much, but it’s about playing to the best of your ability and closing it out.”

Despite Jacks’ resilient innings, the Capitals fell short, unable to chase down the target on a sweltering day at Boland Park. Root, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on the game: “It was a great game of cricket. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and want to keep putting in winning performances.”