Sa20 rising star

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided South African cricket with a glimpse into the future as the Sa20 Rising Star smashed 97 off 51 balls to power Paarl Royals to a nine-wicket victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park here on Saturday. The 18-year-old, who is still awaiting his Matric results, was in imperious form and hammered 10 boundaries and six maximums as he shared a 132-run opening stand with former England captain Joe Root.

Pretorius’ power game was on full display as he pulled and drove with authority. The former SA U19 prodigy certainly benefitted from having the experienced Root at the non-striker’s end on his SA20 debut. Root was his customarily composed self as he steered the Royals home with an undefeated 62 off 44 balls (4x4; 1x6) after Pretorius was trapped LBW by Marco Jansen.

The defending champions have now slumped to a second successive defeat after their opening loss to MICT at St George’s Park last Thursday night.