Englishman root

Mujeeb Ur Rahman: England legend Joe Root struck a masterful 78 not out and claimed two wickets to steer the Paarl Royals into the SA20 playoffs at a fiercely hot Boland Park here on Saturday. Royals became the first team in Season 3 to qualify for the next stage of the competition after their 11-run victory over Pretoria Capitals. The Royals top the standings with 24 points.

Root showed off all experience and class to navigate a slow Boland Park surface in the searing midday sun. The former English skipper was the epitome of orthodoxy as he drove beautifully down the ground, but also showed that he had the ability to innovate with a majestic switch hit off Will Jacks.

The rest of the Royals batting-order wilted under the Paarl sun before captain David Miller walked to the crease. Miller immediately injected some impetus into the innings with an unbeaten 29 from 18 balls, which included two mighty slog-sweeps for six. It formed part of a 33-ball unbroken 59-run partnership that lifted the Royals to 140/4.