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Miller 75 Guides Paarl Royals to SA20 Victory

By Michael Parkes | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 05:31 PM IST
Miller 75 Guides Paarl Royals to SA20 Victory

Paarl Royals registered a thrilling five-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 League at St George’s Park, with captain David Miller producing a calm and match-winning innings under pressure. 

Chasing a target of 150, the Royals crossed the line with two balls to spare, sealing their first victory of SA20 Season 4.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape posted a competitive total of 149 all out, giving their bowlers something to defend on a surface that offered early assistance. 

Fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje made immediate inroads, dismantling the Royals’ top order and pushing the visitors on the back foot early in the chase.

Paarl Royals suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 35 for 4 inside the powerplay. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Asa Tribe, Rubin Hermann, and Kyle Verreynne all departed cheaply as Sunrisers applied relentless pressure. 

Jansen reached a personal milestone during the spell, claiming his 50th SA20 wicket, further tightening the Sunrisers’ grip on the match.

With the Royals staring at defeat, skipper David Miller stepped up when it mattered most. Displaying trademark composure and experience, Miller absorbed the pressure before launching a counter-attack at the perfect moment. 

He found an able partner in Keagan Lion-Cachet, and together the duo stitched a decisive 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket, completely shifting the momentum.

Lion-Cachet played a mature supporting role, scoring 45 runs off 40 balls, rotating the strike and allowing Miller to dominate the scoring. Miller, meanwhile, was at his destructive best, mixing calculated aggression with smart shot selection. He finished with a superb unbeaten 75, anchoring the chase and ensuring the Royals stayed in control during the closing overs.

Although Lion-Cachet fell late in the innings, Miller remained composed and guided his side home without further drama. His knock proved to be the difference in a contest that swung back and forth, highlighting the value of experience in pressure situations.

For Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the defeat was a frustrating one after their bowlers had set up the game brilliantly. However, Miller’s leadership and finishing ability ultimately tilted the contest in the Paarl Royals’ favour.

The victory provides a much-needed boost for the Royals early in the season, while Sunrisers will look to regroup quickly as the SA20 League continues to deliver thrilling encounters.

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