Royals ready to come out blazing against confident JSK outfit

Paarl Royals will be looking to rebound against Joburg Super Kings when they face off in the Eliminator at Centurion on Thursday evening.

The Royals are fresh off a hefty defeat at the hands of JSK in the last group match on Monday. The Boland Park-based side have also yet to win a game since qualifying for the playoffs and will now need to put their best put forward to remain in the competition.

“We had a bit of an off game two games ago. I think that was just one of those where nothing went our way on that day. With the nature of this competition, you're never going to play 10 perfect games in the group stages,” said allrounder Dan Lawrence.

“In the last game, I thought we played a fairly decent game of cricket. We were just missing one more contribution with the bat and I think that would have been a fairly tight game. But then for tomorrow (Thursday), I think it's all about just turning up and being focused on the job we have and that's the win.

“I'm very confident that if we turn up and play to our potential, we'll be more than fine.”

The Royals are keeping their fingers crossed that their injured captain David Miller will pass a late fitness, but have put Lawrence on standby to lead the team should he not be ready to take his place.

Lawrence is confident that the Royals’ recent record on the Highveld will benefit them when they face JSK.

“In the two games we've had up here, obviously we had a great win here when we chased down a modest total here and we were in a good position to win before the rain and lightning came in Joburg,” he said.

“I think we're just going to take a lot of encouragement from that and we played JSK only a couple of days ago, so we've got their team very fresh in our minds and I'm sure we'll come in all guns blazing tomorrow.”

Joburg Super Kings, meanwhile, are full of confidence after their crucial victory over the Royals at Boland Park which secured qualification for the Playoffs.

“Yeah, well it's nice obviously coming into this game off the back of a win, as you say, against the same opposition, but it's a new day, a new game, as you say, a new conditions,” said JSK’s stand-in captain James Vince.

“So, what happened a couple of days ago in Paarl gives us a bit of confidence, we know tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be a different challenge against a good side, so we'll have to make some adjustments there.

“I've got a lot of confidence in the team that come tomorrow (Thursday) there will be one or two of us that can hopefully put our hand up and put in a match-winning performance.

“We know in T20 cricket, it only takes one or two guys to have a day out and generally come out on the right side, so as long as we're all thinking with that mindset and believing that we can do that, hopefully, as I say, a couple of us have a good day and we can get the job done.”

Betway SA20 Eliminator and along with the remaining Playoff matches and Final will feature enhanced ball tracking and DRS (as an element of SMART replays) and DRS via Hawkeye.

All Umpire Review no-ball decisions for height of delivery will use the enhanced ball tracking and player measurement data. All players involved in the Playoff and Final matches will have been measured for three height measurements: waist height, shoulder height and top of helmet.

Additionally, the ability of umpires to review wide calls for height will be permitted and the enhanced ball tracking used for such decisions. Wides for line will not be reviewed - this will remain an on-field judgement call by standing officials.

Off the field, Centurion will be a hive of activity, with the League delivering an enhanced stadium experience with more on offer for the fans. Spectators can look forward to photos with the trophy, hospitality upgrades, Disney characters, mirror men and more.

Kids are encouraged to arrive early for an opportunity to play on the field for an hour after gates open at 2:30pm, and can get player autographs at the signing sessions after the match.

The usual crowd favourites including crowd karaoke, dance cams and kiss cams will still be there, with the Betway catch R2 million still on offer as well as up to R200 000 up for grabs from ABSA. Tickets start from R190 and are selling fast, with group bookings priced at a 30 per cent discount.

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