Jozi Stars has again put their chances of reaching the play-offs of the Mzansi Super League in doubt after a loss at home to Paarl Rocks.
In their second last round-robin match on 9 December, luck was not with the home side as they lost the toss and were sent into bat on a cloudy and windy day with thunderstorms expected.
Conditions suited the early pace bowlers, and the Western Cape visitors struck early and had Jozi Stars at 18/2 before captain Dane Vilas and Rassie van der Dussen started forming a decent partnership.
Fans at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium cheered in excitement as boundaries flowed while Vilas and then Dane Pretorius shared the crease with Van der Dussen.
Also see: Fans gather in Sandton to meet their Jozi Stars heroes
But wickets continued to fall and were it not for Van der Dussen’s excellent 83 not out off 55 balls, Jozi Stars would not have reached anything near their total of 170/6.
Paarl Rocks’ Kerwin Mungroo finished with 3/29.
The momentum was with Paarl Rocks when they started batting.
Even though they took it to the final over, wickets in hand ensured they were always favourites for the win.
They won by four wickets, with Duanne Olivier taking 3/30.
Jozi Stars are second on the table but have to beat Tshwane Spartans in their final round-robin match if they are to reach the play-offs.
The Stars lost their first round-robin game against the Spartans, as well as the warm-up game the teams played before the competition.
The final match between the teams will also be at the Wanderers in the evening of 11 December.
Also read: Jozi meets its stars for the Mzansi Super League
