Twitter Reactions: Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin shine as Paarl Royals clinch thrilling victory

Paarl Royals and Durban's Super Giants locked horns in the 10^th match of the SA20 league at Boland Park in Paarl. The hosts looked in great touch both with the bat and the ball and put up a comprehensive performance. Wihan Lubbe’s half-century, and Evan Jones and Bjorn Fortuin’s heroics with the ball helped Paarl Royals claim a 10-run victory.

Winning the toss, Durban's Super Giants skipper Quinton de Kock elected to field first. Super Giants made two changes to their squad as they brought in Christiaan Jonker and Hardus Viljoen. Their start to the innings was not up to the mark, as Reece Topley gave away eight runs in just the second over of the game by bowling five wide balls. 

But Viljoen’s introduction into the bowling attack in the third over worked wonders for the Super Giants as the pacer sent Royals’ opener Jason Roy packing for a poor score of 3(13). After the early blow, Jos Buttler and Wihan Lubbe’s 53-run partnership for the second wicket proved to be crucial for the Royals as they sailed through the powerplay.

Lubbe kept going even after Buttler’s dismissal and formed important partnerships with Dane Vilas and David Miller. Ferisco Adams and David Miller’s heroics in the death overs helped Paarl Royals post a total of 169/6 at the end of their 20-over quota. While Dwaine Pretorius picked up two wickets, Topley, Viljoen, Keshav Maharaj, and Prenelan Subrayen finished with one each.

Kyle Mayers and Wiaan Mulder started off Durban's Super Giants’ chase on a high note, as they amassed 17 runs in the first two overs. But Bjorn Fortuin changed the course of the game as he entered the bowling attack. After dismissing Mayers in the third over, he dismissed opposition skipper Quinton de Kock and Pretorius for ducks on consecutive deliveries as the Super Giants were reduced to 29/3 at the end of the fifth over.

Wiaan Mulder got going after the three quick wickets, but Tabraiz Shamsi put an end to his prowess and picked him up in the eighth over. Heinrich Klaasen tried stitching up a partnership with Jason Holder and Christiaan Jonker, but Evan Jones spoiled his party on both occasions by dismissing the two batters. 

Jones struck twice in two balls in the 18^th over and sent Keshav Maharaj and Viljoen back to the pavilion, which put the Super Giants in misery. Klaasen kept going as the game came down to the final over when Super Giants needed 19 to win. Jones, who had picked up a four-wicket haul, restricted the opposition batters really well as the Royals bagged their second victory in the tournament.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

The Paarl Royals returned to winning ways with a 10-run victory over Durban's Super Giants at Boland Park. #Betway #SA20 #PRvDSG | @betway_india pic.twitter.com/4xqH4s0PwE

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 17, 2023

9000 runs for Jos Buttler in T20s, only the second Englishman after Alex Hales to this milestone. Wonder how many would have predicted that when Buttler made his debut as a number 9 batter in 2009 with Justin Langer opening the innings for Somerset in the Champions League. #SA20

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 17, 2023

Paarl Royals win a close encounter against Durban Super Giants.

Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 56 off 39 balls goes in vain. #CricTracker #SA20 #DSGvPR pic.twitter.com/kNUPN2sH4X

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 17, 2023

Another top effort from Evan Jones with the ball, his ability to bowl at the death today was most impressive. International selection should be just around the corner #SA20

— Tim Dale Lace (@Tim32_cricket) January 17, 2023

Klaasen may not have gotten his team over the line on a difficult wicket but he is certainly making people look at him differently! Welcome to those oaks you guys are about 3/4 years too late!Klaasie the leading run scorer in the SA20 so far! Don't @ me! He's CLASS!! #SA20

— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) January 17, 2023

@paarlroyals won by 10 Runs. Brilliant knock @wihanlubbe1 57(36). What a Spell Evan Jones 4/32 and @bjorn_fortuin 3/14.#SA20 #PRvDSG @R_Das_Neves9 @jpduminy21

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 17, 2023

Jones has bowler very well. Reminds me abit of Justin Kemp / Brian MacMillan probably bowls a heavy ball. @SA20_League #DSGvsPR #sa20

— Ryan Johnson (@RyanJohnson_007) January 17, 2023

Klaasen fought a valiant knock of 56* (39) but it wasn't enough for DSG, who were rocked after the early wickets

Paarl Royals win by 10 runs#SA20

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 17, 2023

Klaasen can be sich a Jykell and Hyde at times, but loving this form #SA20League #SA20 #DurbanSuperGiants

— SheikYums (@SirMneti) January 17, 2023

Career Best T20 Bowling figures for Evan Jones 4/25.@paarlroyals #SA20 #PRvDSG @LionsCricketSA

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 17, 2023