ROYALS DUO PRETORIUS AND ROOT STRIKE SUBLIME CENTURIES

They may be thousands of kilometres apart on two different continents, but Paarl Royals opening pair Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Joe Root continue to thrill spectators with their batting talents.

Betway SA20 Season 3’s leading run-scorer Pretorius has transferred his short-format form into the longer white-ball version of the game with a maiden List A century for the Titans against Western Province at Newlands on Wednesday evening.

The 18-year-old continues to show maturity beyond his years as he decimated a Province attack including Proteas seam bowler Dane Paterson and allrounder George Linde along with Pretoria Capitals left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds.

Pretorius blitzed 120 off 96 balls (11x4, 7x6) to set up the Titans’ 337/7. 

“Proper player. I don’t think he is going to be with us for long!” said Titans captain Neil Brand.

“He is a special player. He has all the shots in the book. He is really hungry to score runs.”

Pretorius was ably supported by Royals teammate Dayyaan Galiem, who smashed an unbeaten 48 off just 24 balls (4x4, 2x6).

Far away in Lahore, Root produced an innings for the ages with a superb 120 off 111 balls (11x4, 1x6) for England in their crucial ICC Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan.

Battling cramps and hardly fit enough to run, Root still managed to haul out his all innovative ramp shots while elegantly driving down the ground.

Unfortunately, Root’s individual brilliance was not enough for England as they fell eight runs short of the target and were subsequently eliminated from the competition.