Paarl Royals' overseas star batter Jos Buttler could not get his team over the line in a big run chase of 227 at SuperSport Park, Centurion on February 8 but helped them make it to the semi-final by a narrow margin. Royals had a different target in mind after their bowlers were hit all over the park. They needed 163 to enter the top four on the points table and qualify for the semi-final on the basis of net run rate. Royals struggled to even get there but Buttler’s 70-run knock ensured that Royals stay in the hunt and live to fight another day even though they could not get Royals remotely close to the target as they lost by a margin of 59 runs.
With Anrich Nortje bowling thunderbolts, the run chase was derailed early. Jason Roy did not know what to do with a 152 kmph delivery targetted at stumps and got out for a run-a-ball 10. Paul Stirling tried to use the fielding restrictions but departed for a 10-ball 19. In the last over of powerplay overs, Royals lost another wicket in the form of Mitchell Van Buuren.
England’s former white-ball captain Eoin Morgan infused some life into the run chase. Morgan smashed two fours and as many sixes in his short stay at the crease and took the pressure off Buttler. But Adil Rashid struck in his first over to push Royals on the back foot again.
David Miller and Jos Buttler tried to string a partnership but boundaries were scarce. The wicketkeeper-batter did not even score at a strike rate of 100 till the 15 overs. He hit his first six of the innings in the 14th over but skipper David Miller's (11) wicket meant that he needed to take more aggressive route. In the 16th over, Buttler started off with a six but James Neesham struck twice to remove Andile Phehlukwayo (3) and Evan Jones (0).
In the 17th over, Buttler got to his half-century with two fours and one six off Colin Ingram. After 18 overs, Royals still needed 24 more runs to qualify for semi-final. In the penultimate over, Buttler went after Neesham hitting him for a six followed by two fours. Butter's 45-ball 70 was laced with four fours and five sixes.
After Buttler’s wicket, Royals still needed 10 off nine deliveries to qualify. Bjorn Fortuin released the pressure with a boundary off Neesham. In the last over, Capitals' wicketkeeper Philip Salt failed to pick Rashid's googly and conceded four byes. Fortuin got out off the next ball but it did not affect their qualification. Royals managed to post 167/9, losing their last league match by 59 runs.
Earlier, Miller won the toss and opted to field first. Capitals got off to a rollicking start in the powerplay overs with Salt (39) and Kusal Mendis firing from both ends. Mendis scored 80 runs from 41 deliveries including eight fours and four sixes. Towards the end, Colin Ingram's 21-ball 41 and Neesham's unbeaten 11-ball 22 helped Capitals post 226/5.
Royals qualifying for the semi-final stage meant that Durban Super Giants were knocked out of the tournament as they had an inferior net run rate.
“We have match winners all the way through, Jos batted maturely tonight and showed his experience. We have to come together and put in a big performance tomorrow. Different conditions but this wasn't a great game, tomorrow is a new game and we will be up for it,” Miller said in the post-match presentation.
Capitals and Royals will take on each other once again in the first semi-final on February 8 at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
