Ruhan Pretorius picks up his second seasonal award as his 120* from 56 balls in North Down’s Robinson Services Cup semi-final triumph over Instonians is named Innings of the Year.
In what was the only top-flight century of the 2020 season, Pretorius blasted seven fours and nine sixes as he helped his side set an unassailable target of 179/3 before they went on to win the competition with victory over Waringstown the following day.
It was a fascinating innings in more ways than one as the 29-year-old came out swinging from the very start, edging his first ball for six over third-man and although that wasn’t the intended target, it was that intent that would set up the innings and the fashion he was going to play in for the rest of the weekend.
He had scored just 47 from 57 balls the previous weekend in the LVS T20 Cup final against CIYMS at the same venue and had generally been struggling with his strike rate throughout the campaign, but it was a delight to watch him free the shackles and score fluently in front of a large crowd.
The innings wasn’t without a spot of luck as he was put down on the mid-wicket boundary when sitting on 25, but he was able to make Instonians pay by adding another 95 to his personal tally before the 20 overs were completed.
That score was a reminder of the class and talent that Pretorius possesses as he ended the season as the top-flight’s leading run-scorer with 409 from 10 innings.
This was the highlight of his season and deservedly is recognised as the Innings of the Year.
JM Sport 