Cricket
Defending champions live to fight another day─── MORGAN PIEK 08:49 Thu, 06 Feb 2025
The double-defending champions, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, live to fight another day in the SA20 following a 32-run win against the Joburg Super Kings in the Eliminator at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
The Sunrisers scored 184/6 in their allotted 20 overs, with captain Aiden Markram scoring 62 not out. David Bedingham contributed 27 upfront in a 46-run first-wicket partnership with Tony de Zorzi.
At the backend of the innings, Tristan Stubbs scored 26, and Marco Jansen struck 23 off 12 balls to put the champions in a commanding position.
Veteran spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the JSK bowlers with figures of 2/21, while Hardus Viljoen took 2/37.
Ottniel Baartman. Photo: Cricinfo
In reply, JSK was restricted to 152/7 in their 20 overs, with Jonny Bairstow scoring 37 and Devon Conway adding 30 off 20 balls. Craig Overton took 2/20 for the Sunrisers, while Ottniel Baartman claimed 2/25.
A delighted Markram said the runs scored upfront set the tone for the victory and allowed players to play their natural game at the backend of the innings.
‘And then, again, a guy like Marco comes in and whacks it.’
“The start with the bat for me was massive. I think it was almost 50 on the board within four overs when we lost our first wicket,” said Markram.
“What it allows the team to do from there is, if you lose a scurry of wickets, for guys to, I suppose, take a bit of time—which is not ideal nowadays. It’s not how individuals really want to play the game, especially when you’re at a venue like this. But because of that start, it allowed us to absorb a bit and still get to 180. I thought we probably could have got a few more as well.
“It’s small little chip-ins that I think help a lot. And then, again, a guy like Marco comes in and whacks it. Stubbo’s partnership was also vital. Although it doesn’t look great on paper, it’s a massive partnership and it allowed Marco to come in and play that way.
“It’s a few more good signs for us with the bat. But yeah, a few guys chipped in tonight, which was great.”
On Thursday at 17:30, the Sunrisers will face the Paarl Royals in the second Qualifier in Centurion. The winner of this match will face MI Cape Town in Saturday’s final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
