Player of the Match
Player of the Match

9:02pm That's it from us for tonight. Do join us tomorrow as Durban's Super Giants taken on the Pretoria Capitals. Until then, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat), Ranjith and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care, folks!

Jos Buttler, Player of the Match: Nice to contribute to a win. We have started the competition really well. I just came in (yesterday) and did a bit of range hitting. Have tried to get away from the game a bit. Have been really well looked after. Lots of golf, a bit of cricket. Last few months have been challenging, so just trying to enjoy my cricket. (On enduring a tough time as England captain) Captaincy is a great honour and privilege and you ride those emotions a little more. The recent past has been a bit tougher. (On the Royals leadership dynamic) David is captaining the team brilliantly. Shane Bond is the coach and they share a nice bond together. The bowlers have been fantastic, they have been clear with their plans, especially at home.

David Miller, Paarl Royals captain: It was a great result, happy with it. Overall good performance, nice to get the bonus point in the end. Bowlers bowled exceptionally well, did what they needed to do. Jos and Wihan batted superbly in that partnership. He (Ngidi) is key to our success. We have lots of good international bowlers but he has definitely taken up the leadership role in the bowling department. Credit to him. (On playing in Paarl) Big boundary here, the dimensions are a little bit different. Slightly less bounce and it can turn a bit. A bit of wind too - some factors to think about (for teams coming here). (On Buttler) He is a world-class player. Nice to have that kind of experience in the team. Going at more than 10s on that pitch, it was special.

Faf du Plessis, Joburg Super Kings captain: (On the game) Disappointing. There are some similar patterns which are not nice to see. Cricket is a game of momentum and we feel the momentum is going against us. You need a couple of big players to pull it towards us. Key guys getting some good form - that is the recipe for getting a turnaround. It starts with myself at the top of the order. We need a couple of guys to put their hands up with the bat and get those 60-70s. They (the Royals) have got a few guys in form, and that is the flip side. Five out of six (in our side) are not in great form, and have not played a lot of cricket lately. Cricket is not a game handed on a silver platter and we have to find a way around it. That is the plan (to turn things around at home in their next game), and hopefully a few guys put their hands up.

8:45pm The Royals did it at a canter, and they got a bonus point in the process too. Buttler was sensational, tiding over the sluggish nature of the surface and blazing away to 70* off 37 balls. Lubbe played his part too, smashing 39 off 30 and breaking the back of the run-chase during the powerplay. Chasing such a modest total, that was all the Royals needed, and they accomplished it with the minimal of fuss.

Lots to ponder for the Super Kings, who are now without a win in four. Their bowling lacked ideas, and their batting was pretty abject. Nothing seems to be working for them, and with time quickly running out, they will need to find a way to string together a few good performances (and possibly wins).

14.1
1
Ali to Van Buuren, 1 run, it is all over! The Royals have thumped the Super Kings by seven wickets and win with 35 balls to spare! Length on off stump. van Buuren advances and eases it into the square leg region. Embraces and smiles in the Royals camp; utter disappointment for those in yellow!

END OF OVER:
14 | 10 Runs | PR: 134/3 (1 run required from 36 balls, RR: 9.57, RRR: 0.16)

  • Jos Buttler70 (37b)
  • Mitchell Van Buuren7 (10b)
  • Romario Shepherd1-0-10-0
  • Aaron Phangiso3-0-34-0
13.6
6
Shepherd to Buttler, SIX, scores level! Slower delivery that sits up to be hit outside off. Buttler backs away and forehands it over the bowler's head! Would not have been out of place at the Australian Open!
13.5
1
Shepherd to Van Buuren, 1 run, back of a length on off. van Buuren stands tall and short-arm jabs it to deep mid wicket
13.4
1
Shepherd to Buttler, 1 run, length outside off. Buttler, this time, has an agricultural mow at it and slices it off the outside edge towards third man
13.3
1
Shepherd to Van Buuren, 1 run, banged into the track outside off. van Buuren hacks at it and miscues it on the bounce to deep mid wicket

van Buuren has a Free hit to tuck into...

13.3
1nb
Shepherd to Van Buuren, 1 no ball, back of a length outside off. Zips off the surface and breezes past the outside edge of van Buuren's flailing blade. Oh dear, Shepherd has overstepped...
13.2
0
Shepherd to Van Buuren, no run, hard length outside off. van Buuren has a wild swipe across the line and misses the ball by quite some distance
13.1
0
Shepherd to Van Buuren, no run, length outside off. van Buuren looks for the drive on the up but scuffs it to mid off

Just 11 runs needed now. If the Royals can chase this down inside 16 overs, they will win with a bonus point. Shepherd gets a bowl

END OF OVER:
13 | 14 Runs | PR: 124/3 (11 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 9.53, RRR: 1.57)

  • Jos Buttler63 (35b)
  • Mitchell Van Buuren5 (5b)
  • Aaron Phangiso3-0-34-0
  • Imran Tahir4-0-12-1
12.6
2
Phangiso to Buttler, 2 runs, slowed up on a length on middle and off. Buttler waits in his crease and pushes it to long off's left for a brace
12.5
6
Phangiso to Buttler, SIX, Jos Buttler special! Given a hint of air on leg stump and Buttler is down the track in a flash. Gets close to the pitch of the ball and launches it handsomely over long on!
12.4
1
Phangiso to Van Buuren, 1 run, full on middle and off. van Buuren skips down the track and eases it to deep mid wicket
12.3
1
Phangiso to Buttler, 1 run, angled into leg stump. Buttler nudges it towards deep mid wicket and is content with the single
12.2
0
Phangiso to Buttler, no run, full on middle and leg. Buttler plays it back to the bowler
12.1
4
Phangiso to Buttler, FOUR, lovely! Tossed up into the slot outside off and Buttler cashes in. Gets his hands through the ball and crunches it over extra cover!

END OF OVER:
12 | 5 Runs | PR: 110/3 (25 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 9.16, RRR: 3.12)

  • Mitchell Van Buuren4 (4b)
  • Jos Buttler50 (30b)
  • Imran Tahir4-0-12-1
  • Moeen Ali2-0-18-1
11.6
4
Imran Tahir to Van Buuren, FOUR, gets this away! Full just outside off. van Buuren decides to play the reverse and gets enough bat to help it past backward point!
11.5
0
Imran Tahir to Van Buuren, no run, fired in full on leg stump. Defended to short mid wicket

SA20 News

Royals 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st15JJ RoyJC Buttler
2nd87JC ButtlerWJ Lubbe
3rd3JC ButtlerDA Miller
4th30JC ButtlerM Van Buuren