Paarl, Jan 16
Rising star Lhuan-dre Pretorious is fast making himself an instant SA20 hero, scoring blazing half-century in Paarl Royals’ Cape derby win over neighbours MI Cape Town at Boland Park.
Pretorius smashed three sixes and eight boundaries in a 52-ball 83 to follow up his 97 on debut at the same ground. The 18-year-old has certainly become a fan favourite of the Royals in quick time.
Chasing down MI Cape Town’s 158/4, Pretorius benefitted from two dropped catches to power the home team to victory by six wickets to avenge Monday night’s defeat at Newlands.
The powerful left-hander struck the ball sweetly all around Boland Park but was particularly severe on left-arm spinner George Linde with a couple of sixes over the leg-side boundary.
Pretorius’ innings was only ended through a magnificent piece of fielding from MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan, who threw the stumps down with a direct hit.
But Pretorius had already done the major damage, which allowed Royals skipper David Miller to comfortably take his team over the line with an undefeated 22.