Paarl Rocks are not enjoying a happy start to the Mzansi Super League (MSL).
Having played both their matches in the tournament to date at home at Boland Park, Rocks suffered defeat in altwee outings.
Cape Town Blitz, who was in action against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Newlands last night, visit Paarl next for a mouthwatering derby on Sunday.
And Rocks will be looking to Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and his international teammates Tabraiz Shamsi and Aiden Markram to help them get their first win of the campaign.
After losing to the Jozi Stars by 60 runs on Tuesday, Rocks wrote on their Facebook page: “This Sunday is our local derby against Cape Town Blitz.
“Our Protea players Faf du Plessis, Aiden Markram and Tabraiz Shamsi will make their first appearances in the Mzansi Super League.”
Fresh off a Man-of-the-Match performance for the Proteas in their one-off clash against Australia last weekend, it’s Shamsi that will have to be at his best if Rocks want to break to their duck.
So far in the tournament, Dane Paterson and the Rocks attack have struggled, being smacked for 200 in both matches.
On Tuesday, it was Jozi Stars’ opener Ryan Rickelton that smashed their bowlers to all corners of Boland Park with his knock of 91 off 59 balls as the visitors klapped 209/2 in their 20 overs before bowling out the Rocks for just 149.
Despite stand-in captain Henry Davids’s best efforts to lead from the front with his score of 60 that took just 36 balls to get, Rocks will be hoping Du Plessis’s leadership and experience can help them in the field to limit Blitz.
Paterson, a Cape Cobras players, will also be looking for redemption against a team he knows well.
Having gone for 56 in his four overs, without claiming a scalp, Pato will be under some pressure heading into the encounter.