By Tim Douglas 
England cricketing great Joe Root is set to play his final match for Paarl Royals in the SA20 as he returns to international duties. Root, who has been a standout performer in his debut SA20 season, hopes to leave on a high as the Royals take on Joburg Super Kings (JSK) at the Wanderers tonight.
The 34-year-old has been a key figure for the Royals, scoring 279 runs at an average of 55.80, taking five wickets at an economy of 7.0, and providing invaluable mentorship to young opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being here, both on and off the field. We’ve got a great group of lads who have welcomed me brilliantly and made me feel a massive part of everything we’ve done,” Root said. “I’ll miss the latter stages, but I’ll be keeping an eye on how the guys do. The friendships you make in tournaments like this last a lifetime.”
Paarl Royals Eye Direct Qualification to the Final
Root’s contributions have played a crucial role in Paarl Royals’ dominance, helping them achieve a record-breaking five-match home winning streak. Currently sitting atop the SA20 table, the Royals have already secured their place in Qualifier 1, where they will face MI Cape Town on February 4 in Gqeberha.
A win in that match would send the Royals directly to the SA20 final at the Wanderers on February 8, a stage they are determined to reach in style.
Joburg Super Kings in a Must-Win Battle
While the Royals are flying high, Joburg Super Kings find themselves in a heated battle for a playoff spot. Sitting on 15 points, they are locked in a three-way contest with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (19 points) and Pretoria Capitals (14 points) for the last two spots in the knockout stages.
JSK suffered a heavy defeat in the Jukskei derby against Pretoria Capitals, and they now need to bounce back at home to stay in contention.
“We go home now for two games, and our record at home has been very good. So we take comfort in that,” said JSK head coach Stephen Fleming. “It’s all mental at this stage. Changes can help, but continuity and backing players also matter. We need to play better—it’s as simple as that.”
“It’s a race to qualify now. Three teams are hunting hard, and we just need to improve our performance in this next game. If we’re good enough, we’ll get through.”
Key Match Scenarios
- A win for the Paarl Royals will further cement their dominance and bid farewell to Joe Root in style.
- A victory for JSK would significantly boost their playoff chances while denting the Royals’ momentum heading into Qualifier 1.
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals will closely watch this match, knowing it could impact their own playoff aspirations.