Before Friday evening's match, Aiden Markram’s team lost all three their first games – against MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals respectively.

However, Sunrisers responded to the rallying call from their skipper. Markram won the toss and elected to bat first.

England international Zak Crawley provided the early momentum with a 29-ball 34 before fellow Englishman Tom Abell crafted a 39-ball 57 to maintain the momentum through the middle order.

First W of the season ?? pic.twitter.com/0Yd8bZWptC

— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 17, 2025

Marco Jansen, who was fresh off a half-century in the last match, again provided the late flourish with 36 not out off 26 balls. Jansen and Tristan Stubbs shared an unbroken partnership of 24 off 13 balls with Tristan Stubbs (15 not out off eight balls) to lift the Sunrisers to 165/5.

For Durban Super Giants, Noor Ahmad was the most successful bowler with figures of 4/24, for which he was also chosen as the Player of the Match.

The men from Durban started strongly with opener Bryce Parsons and Matthew Breetzke putting on 40 for the first wicket. However, the pair were involved in a horrible mix up which led to Parsons being run out for 23 off 21 balls.

The spirit of cricket ???? pic.twitter.com/gke8qa9HdS

— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) January 18, 2025

The Super Giants never quite recovered with left-arm spinner Liam Dawson claiming the big wicket of the season so far - Heinrich Klaasen – for just one. Quinton de Kock (21) and Wiaan Mulder (22) tried to steer the Super Giants ship to calmer waters, but they were eventually dismissed for only 107.

The two sides will go head-to-head again in a rematch at St George’s Park (15:30 start) on Sunday.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg