England batter Sam Hain played his first game at the iconic Newlands stadium during the Cape Derby in SA20 Season 3 on Monday, but his Paarl Royals suffered a 33-run defeat against MI Cape Town.
Hain, batting at No. 3, managed 20 off 23 balls in a chase that unraveled after MI Cape Town pacer Kagiso Rabada removed openers Joe Root and Lhuan-dre Pretorius during two stunning wicket-maiden overs.
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Reflecting on the experience, Hain said, “I mean, yeah, apart from the result, I loved it. It’s a ground I’ve always wanted to play at. Even fielding first, I tried to take it all in – the crowd, Table Mountain – it’s a special place. It definitely makes it into my top five stadiums.”
The Englishman was impressed by the atmosphere, despite the disappointment. “I think I’ve been blown away by the crowds in the last two games. It’s a fantastic product, and I’m grateful to experience it firsthand. While the result wasn’t what we wanted, it’s a special place to play cricket,” he added.
Hain faced the daunting task of handling Kagiso Rabada, who turned the game with his fiery spell. “Yeah, he’s quick. I’ve watched him on TV for years. The first few balls were right on the money. KG’s a special bowler. We’ll regroup over the next day or so and come up with plans to bounce back in Paarl on Wednesday,” Hain remarked.
The Royals’ standout performer, 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, drew praise from his teammate. “Yeah, he’s a special player from what I’ve seen so far. He passed his exams today as well, which he’s happy about. He’s just full of confidence. Hopefully, we’ll see more of what he can do as the tournament progresses,” said Hain.
Looking ahead, Hain remains optimistic about the Royals’ ability to adapt. “It’s just different, a different style of cricket. But I believe we’ve got a team capable of adapting to any conditions. We’ll regroup and come back stronger on Wednesday,” he said.
Sharing the dressing room with seasoned players like David Miller and Dinesh Karthik has been a learning experience for Hain. “You’re just trying to learn from them. There’s so much experience in the dressing room. From a personal perspective, I want to contribute important performances but also learn a thing or two during this tournament,” he said.
Hain concluded on a positive note despite the setback. “I’m loving it here. It’s -5°C back home, so being surrounded by cricket-loving people in the sun – what better place to be?”
The Royals will look to rebound as they face MI Cape Town again in Paarl on Wednesday.
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