During the toss, the norm followed is that the host broadcaster anchor asks the two skippers of the decision they take after the toss and what is their team composition. A captain informs of the changes in the side either due to injury or illness but in the Mzansi Super League T20 clash between Paarl Rocks and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Paarl, one captain gave such an explanation that it has taken social media by storm. The captain in question is Paarl Rocks skipper and current South Africa captain Faf du Plessis.
Nelson Mandela Bay Giants skipper JJ Smuts chose to bowl and when the host broadcaster asked du Plessis the question regarding his team composition, the answer served by him was hilarious. "One change - Hardus Viljoen is not playing. He is lying in bed with my sister as they got married yesterday," du Plessis said in a deadpan expression. This resulted in the anchor guffawing away and unable to control his laughter as du Plessis walked away to get ready for the match.
Viljoen was dating du Plessis' sister Remi Rhynners and yesterday, they tied the knot. Viljoen has played for South Africa in the past and he created history when he took a wicket off the first ball he bowled in Tests by dismissing Alastair Cook. However, Vijoen went the Kolpak way and he has signed a three-year deal for Derbyshire. The clash between Paarl Rocks and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Boland Park, Paarl is a crucial one for both teams.
The winner of the match will finish in top spot and progress directly to the final. Paarl Rocks were boosted by an aggressive knock of 39 from Cameron Delport and Henry Davids chipped in with 31. Du Plessis hit 22 but he struggled for timing while wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne hit 36 off 20 balls and helped by Sri Lanka's Isuru Udana's 21-ball 27, Paarl Rocks reached 168/5. In response, Heino Kuhn smashed a brilliant 58 but it went in vain as Ferisco Adams and Tabraiz Shamsi took three and two wickets respectively to win by 12 runs and seal top spot in the table. With the win, Paarl Rocks entered the final of the Mzansi Super League tournament.
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The Mzansi Super League T20 tournament has a unique knockout format. The team that tops the table in the league stages directly enters the final while the second and third placed teams fight it out in an eliminator. A win for Paarl Rocks will help them enter the final while a win for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants seals their spot in the summit clash. Only two league games remain in the tournament and the clash between Tshwane Spartans, featuring AB de Villiers and Cape Town blitz will also be important as they look to seal the third spot. Durban Heat will also be hoping Tshwane Spartans lose and they win their last game against Jozi Stars who are already out of contention.
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