David Miller applauds Paarl Royals team spirit after record run chase

Royals were thumped by 137 runs by two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in December, but have now rocketed to second place in the standings with three round robin matches left.

Miller says their relatively inexperienced squad makes their current position even more pleasing.

"We are obviously really proud of the performance. At the start of the competition, if you had given us this position after seven games, we definitely would've taken that. We don't have the experience like the other teams, but I think we've been really competitive and we have stayed together as a team."

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The 186-run chase against Durban Super Giants was a new record at Boland Park, and Miller says they knew they had to put up a good partnership to have any chance of getting over the line.

While in the end they needed the very last ball of the match to win it, he says it’s exciting to win the close ones.

They have now won four of the seven played, with two losses and one match washed out.

He says the camaraderie in the team has been key in turning things around for the better.

Miller knows the benefits of finishing in second place or even better, with those two teams getting to play Qualifier One and a direct route to the final.

He says they will keep doing exactly what they’ve been doing to secure their place.

"This log table is so tight, so I'll keep reiterating to the team that every game is very important. It's vital for us to continue working in partnerships with the bat and the ball. Nothing really changes moving forward, and I don't want to look too far ahead but it would be really nice to finish in the top two."