David Miller believes that he will be fit and ready to play the MI Cape Town on Tuesday when Paarl Royals contest the first SA20 play-off. Photo: Sportzpics
It would be naive to look at Paarl Royals' two losses at the backend of the round-robin stage and doubt their ability to win Tuesday night’s first qualifier against the in-form MI Cape Town at St George's Park.
After all, this Royals side is the same team that had previously looked almost unbeatable earlier in the tournament.
Having been without captain David Miller last week, due to a groin niggle, the Royals look an even stronger unit. The 35-year-old addressed the media on Monday with positive news about his injury.
"It's feeling good," he said. "After fitness tests, it seems to be going well, but we'll see how we pull up (Tuesday) morning."
Despite the losses, Miller emphasised that the team is not concerned. The experienced left-hand batter highlighted his team's consistency as a characteristic that should not be overlooked, despite the last two games. Their six-match winning streak before that, is the benchmark, which no other team has been able to replicate this season.
"The last two games were losses but you look at the whole season; we've been really consistent. It's really not a concern for me at all," said Miller.
"The consistency this season has been phenomenal. The guys are in a great space, rested up nicely, prepared well on (Monday) and are up for the battle (Tuesday).
“It takes one or two guys to step up and really put in a match-winning performance and get us through. That's what we've done the whole season and we're really up for that."
Taking on MI Cape Town, who finished at the top of the standings, is also not a task that Miller and his troops find daunting. The captain views the fixture as an opportunity to be the team that finally stops MI Cape Town's run of victories.
With over 500 T20s under his belt, Miller understands that the qualifier has very little to do with how either team performed in the group stages, but more so about the team's performances on the day.
Miller emphasised that they need a few players to stand out on Tuesday and give them a chance to book an early ticket to Saturday's final at the Wanderers.
"(MI Cape Town) seem to be on fire but it's a great opportunity for us to knock them off," said Miller.
"I truly believe in T20 it's really about seizing the moment, and it takes one or two guys to really stand up and take the game away from the opposition and that's hopefully going to happen tomorrow."
The encounter is scheduled to get underway at 5.30pm at St George's Park in Gqeberha.