Pooran, Paul struggle in Super Giants win

DURBAN, South Africa (CMC):

The West Indies pair of Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul failed to shine, despite Durban Super Giants still marching to their third straight win with a convincing 37-run victory over Romario Shepherd's Joburg Super Kings yesterday.

In the seventh game of the SA20 at Kingsmead, Super Giants posted 145 for eight off their 20 overs before restricting Super Kings to 108 for nine to remain one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition.

They are atop the points standing with 13 points, five clear of Paarl Royals, with MI Cape Town third on five points - both teams having played one game less.

Choosing to bat first, Super Giants were powered by Man-of-the-Match Heinrich Klaasen, who punched a top score of 64 off 41 deliveries.

He counted seven fours and two sixes, adding 39 for the fifth wicket with Paul and a further 38 for the sixth wicket with Pooran to pull the innings around from peril at 34 for four at the start of the seventh over.

Shepherd proved ineffective with his pace, finishing with one for 40 from four overs, as South African seamer Lizaad Williams spearheaded the attack with four for 26.

In reply, opener Reeza Hendricks struck 38 off 32 balls, and Englishman Moeen Ali, 36 off 28 balls, but Super Kings never recovered after slumping to 71 for six in the 15th over.

Shepherd fell without scoring in that cluster of wickets as England left-arm seamer Reece Topley with three for 19, Keshav Maharaj with two for 17 and Richard Gleeson with two for 22 ripped the run chase apart.