Australian opener Mitchell Owen has been signed by the Paarl Royals to replace Joe Root for the balance of the 2025 SA20 season. Root made his first season with the David Miller-led team, playing eight games and scoring 279 runs at a strike rate of 140.20 and an average of 55.80. In front of the three-match ODI series against India, he will now be on the England team.
Despite having enormous shoes to fill, Owen will feel confident going into the Royals’ dressing room following his great performances in the just finished enormous Bash League (BBL) 2024–25. After the Hobart Hurricanes won the BBL championship for the first time, the 23-year-old became well-known. After accumulating 452 runs from 11 games at an average of 45.20 and a strike rate of 203.60, Owen was declared the greatest run scorer. Against the Sydney Thunder in the final, the youthful player easily defeated a 183-run target with a century off just 39 balls.
As anticipated, his valour helped Owen capture the attention of franchises worldwide.
As the Paarl Royals aim to win their first SA20 championship, they may seek to capitalise on his outstanding form.
With seven wins and two losses from nine games, the Royals are presently atop the points standings. They’ve already earned a postseason spot. When David Miller hurt himself while fielding during the game against the Durban Super Giants on January 27, Bjorn Fortuin took over as team captain.
When the Royals play the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions, at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Saturday, February 1, they will be back in action.
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