Joburg Super Kings have lost five in a row after opening the season with three straight wins. In their most recent outing they were bowled out for 117 in 18.1 overs while chasing 179 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. James Vince top-scored with 30, and Michael Pepper (21) and Dian Forrester (11) were the only others to make an impression as the middle order folded.
The batting has been the main concern over the last three games, with good starts repeatedly wasted in the middle overs. Vince has carried much of the load, with two half-centuries in four matches. With the ball, Donovan Ferreira took 2/25 and Akeal Hosein was economical, but Richard Gleeson and Nandre Burger were expensive. With two games remaining, a defeat here would put Joburg under serious pressure.
Pretoria Capitals also saw a three-match winning run end, losing to Paarl Royals after being dismissed for 127 in 19.1 overs. Shai Hope made 25, Sherfane Rutherford 29 and Andre Russell 15, but nobody kicked on. Ottneil Baartman’s 5/16, including a late hat-trick, did the damage, though Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams had struck early for Pretoria. Their qualification chances now look slim, and they would need to win both remaining matches with bonus points and improve their net run rate. Their bowling form gives them a reason to be optimistic against a side short on confidence.