It’s the first edition of season four’s Western Cape derby, and all roads lead to the heart of cricket here in Paarl, the picturesque Boland Park.
The SA20 action takes a bit of a backseat as talk in the press box is all about the recently announced Proteas Men’s squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Jason Smith’s inclusion is the hot topic. He is a product of Cape Town’s Wynberg Boys High and is much loved in this part of the world. When you chat to those that have known him since his time as a young gun, there seems to be a sense of collective regret that he needed to leave these shores to ply his trade in Durban for the Dolphins. The move has proven very successful for Jason, and the whole of SA will be hoping that he rewards the faith that Shukri Conrad and Pat Moroney have oplaced in him.
Tonight the 31-year-old will be in the blue of MICT, who are looking for their first win of the tournament. The men in pink have been buoyed by their first win against SEC, with fellow Proteas batter and Royals captain David Miller batting brilliantly to get his team over the line.
It’s about an hour to go before the start and the grass banks are filling up fast. There is a huge buzz around the press and commentary boxes too, with SuperSport’s Xhosa commentators Sinalo Jafta, Makhaya Ntini and Mluleki Ntsabo broadcasting live from the ground. Makhaya’s handshake is firm, very firm, exactly what you would expect from the Proteas legend. Sinalo is her normal friendly self, it is always a privilege to see her. Nikhil Uttamchandani is looking for a quietish place to sit and takes up temporary residence in the press box, a place to retire to during a break from commentary.
Ricky Schroeder is providing commentary on the kiss cam, and there are plenty of couples who are happy to oblige, to the cheers of those around.
So much action already, and with half an hour to go, Rashid Khan calls incorrectly and the Royals decide to have a bat. No surprise there, and it is good to hear that Sikandar Raza is playing today, having suffered the tragic loss of his younger brother. MICT have three changes, with Bosch, Hendricks and Pretorius out, and Piedt, Moores and Snyman in.
So we’re all set for the game. Before then it’s the important Paarl Royals team photo that needs to be taken, with the Drakenstein mountains as the backdrop. While the chairs are readied, David Miller is shadow-batting in the middle. Visualization plays an important role in the world of the modern cricketer.
What no-one could visualize was Jacques Snyman opening the bowling for MICT. There is a cheer all around the ground as crowd favourite KG Rabada is announced.
Now the stadium is packed to the rafters. What an atmosphere! It helps that the Royals reach 50 off just 30 balls, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Asa Tribe doing well. Despite the loss of a few wickets, the Royals reach their highest score at Paarl. Pretorius stars with an unbeaten 98 not out as the MICT attack struggles to contain the young man. There is a groan as he fails to connect with the last ball to get the 2 needed for his hundred.
MICT start well with Rickelton and Rassie reaching 77 before the wheels come off, much to the delight of the Paarl crowd. I’m walking around the ground as the first and second wickets fall. The crowd is packed in like sardines on the annual run, and they are enjoying every moment of the action.
It’s getting tense as the last over is upon us. Fifteen to win. Rashid Khan on strike. First ball goes for 2, the second is hit high into the Paarl night sky and Rubin Hermann takes the catch. Rabada swings the next ball into the North stand. Seven from three as Rabada perishes with the 4th ball of the over. Boult smothers the 5th ball for one and it’s all down to the last ball. A swing from Linde bounces just inside the boundary, it’s a 4 and the cheers go up as it’s a 1 run win for the Royals. Phew!
The crowd start gathering up their things and head for the exits. There will be many that remain to get the chance of an autograph from their heroes.
It’s been a good evening in Paarl if you are dressed in Pink, and the Gees is alive. As they say in their song, they came here to conquer. they came here to win.
Win they did, in the most dramatic fashion.