Paarl Royals, the current table-toppers in the ongoing SA20, wasted no time in signing the 23-year-old breakout star of the Big Bash League 2024-25, Mitch Owen. The tall Tasmanian opener dished out a healthy season-leading 452-run season while closing the season with the joint-fastest ton in the league's history, eventually leading the Hobart Hurricanes to their maiden BBL title. Owen smashed 36 sixes in the whole season and had a couple of centuries to his name in the season.
Owen will replace the Englishman Joe Root in the Royals' squad with the latter leaving the tournament midway for international duty. Root is part of England's ODI squad for the three-match series against India, followed by the Champions Trophy and given how the campaign went for the senior statesman, Owen will have to get into his work straightaway for the league stage toppers. Root ended his stint as the third-highest scorer in the competition with 279 runs to his name at a strike rate of 140 and an average of 55.
Owen smashed a 39-ball century as the Hurricanes made a mockery of the score of 182 posted by the Sydney Thunder in the BBL 14 final. Owen belted 11 sixes during his whirlwind knock and captured everyone's imagination with former Australian all-rounder Brad Hodge tipping him for higher honours including an IPL contract and a possible inclusion in the national T20 side in the next six months.
The Royals missed Root's services on Thursday, January 30 against the Joburg Super Kings as they had a peak into life after Root even though the Englishman was with the squad. Skipper David Miller also missed the game due to personal reasons and the Super Kings ended their three-match losing streak to snap the Royals' six-match winning one.
Royals are certain to play three more matches in the competition having sealed a spot in the first qualifier already.