The SA20 regular season continues to head towards a climax on Thursday when two more sides play their penultimate game of the first part of the campaign when the Joburg Super Kings host the Paarl Royals at The Wanderers.
The Royals can attack this game with a bit of freedom knowing that they are guaranteed a top two finish while the Super Kings still have work to do to get into the top four and have a crack at the title so the onus is very much on them here.
Joburg Super Kings
The Joburg Super Kings can consider themselves a little unfortunate this season. They have three wins and four losses from their eight matches but they have had a washout and the weather hasn’t always helped them. There is no doubt that they have struggled for consistency over the course of the campaign, although a lot of that is down to injuries which have plagued them throughout the competition and are still beginning to haunt them.
The latest of those injuries happened to Devon Conway when he was hit by a shot at the non-strikers end but he did return to bat in that match so hopefully he is good to go and the Super Kings can get some consistency. The Joburg outfit are in control of their own destiny. If they win both of their matches to round off the regular season, both of which are at home, then they will secure a top four finish and a crack at being the second team to win this tournament.
Paarl Royals
When you consider that the Paarl Royals were the outsiders for the competition before a ball was bowled in this campaign, for them to be sitting top of the table with just one defeat in their eight matches and having a top two spot secured with two matches to go speaks volumes of how well they have done so far this term. They won’t want to just limp into the playoffs from here but they do have the chance to rotate should they wish to, knowing they have two cracks at the final when the important stuff comes along next week.
One issue that Paarl are encountering is one or two too many injuries. David Miller picked up one in the last game and you would imagine the Royals won’t be risking their captain in a match which has no meaning. The other issue they have is their batting order is about to be turned upside down because Joe Root heads off to international duty after this one. That could mean the Royals’ attack will need to perform even better than they have already to get Paarl over the line when it matters.
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Key Players
Hardus Viljoen took four wickets in the win over the Sunrisers Eastern Cape two matches ago and the Joburg Super Kings would like another spell like that one if they are to keep the Paarl Royals under control and win this match.
Joe Root says goodbye to the Paarl Royals after this match and the England international will be keen to leave his South African franchise on a high with a big performance not just with the bat but potentially with the ball too.
Betting
We have one of those classic sporting contests at this stage of any season in any sport where one team needs to win and for the other it is a dead rubber. I often say that must win doesn’t mean will win but the Joburg Super Kings are unbeaten on their home ground this term and I fancy that might well remain the case after this match too because that intent on needing to win will ensure that they are completely up for this one and everyone will be playing in positions and performing roles which suit them.
Joburg Super Kings have an attack which can get the job done here. They have some good spinners but their seamers are all adept at bowling back of a length. Paarl Royals probably don’t quite have the latter with Lungi Ngidi still managing an injury and the absence of David Miller has to be a big factor in this match as well. You would think if not here then at some point Paarl will be looking to get those who haven’t had a lot of time in the middle some competitive action which could further disrupt them so I have to be on the Super Kings here.
Tips
Back Joburg Super Kings to beat Paarl Royals for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Sky Bet