It hasn’t been the normal summer scorcher in Paarl just yet. Besides 40 degree heat on Christmas day, it’s been pretty comfortable, with temperatures hovering around the late 20s, early 30s.
This seems to have had a positive effect on the pitch, while the curator Rupert Bailey says the condition of the outfield is in the best condition it has ever been.
The wicket has played really well so far in the SA20, with the home side Paarl Royals mounting successful chases in each of their three home matches thus far.
Over the last few seasons the ball has tended to come on to the bat a bit better in the evening because of the new lights at the venue. And that has been evident since the start of South Africa’s premier domestic tournament.
In the Royals’ first match against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, they chased down 175 in a day match, before seeing off MI Cape Town and the Joburg Super Kings by reaching their targets of 158 and 146 respectively.
The wicket will never have the pace or the bounce of a Highveld surface, because of the hot and windy conditions in the Winelands. It’s still taking turn and makes strokeplay difficult. But it’s definitely coming on better, especially under lights.
The competition’s leading run-scorer Lhuan-dre Pretorius certainly enjoys batting at his new home ground with the teenage opener adding another breezy 27 off 14 balls (4x4, 1x6) on Monday against the Super Kings to his two half-centuries at this picturesque venue.
The experienced former England captain Joe Root has also been exceptional for the Paarl side, compiling 201 runs thus far. He has showcased his variety of shot-making, while guiding Pretorius along.
Captain David Miller has performed his “finisher” role to perfection this season and partnered up with Mitchell van Buuren (44 off 45 balls) for a 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket against the Joburg outfit.
Miller has scored 208 runs in the competition, finishing strongly in each of the four matches they have won.
“We’ve got an adaptable squad and we play according to the condition and the last two years we started really well and finished badly, and that is something we keep in mind and we have all bases covered for now,” he said.
@JohnGoliath82