Sunrisers Eastern Cape dominate Paarl Royals with 48-run win in SA20

Sunrisers Eastern Cape returned to winning form in the ongoing SA20 season three with a commanding 48-run victory over Paarl Royals at St George’s Park on Saturday. A well-crafted half-century by Jordan Hermann and stellar bowling performances from Craig Overton and Marco Jansen helped the defending champions seal third place in the standings, setting up an Eliminator clash against Joburg Super Kings on February 5 in Centurion.

Winning the toss, Sunrisers skipper Aiden Markram opted to bat first. The team put up a competitive total of 148/8, with Jordan Hermann leading the charge with a composed 53 off 38 balls, striking six fours and a six. Tristan Stubbs provided late fireworks, smashing 43 off 27 balls, which included a boundary and three sixes. His powerful finish saw him take 23 runs off the final over bowled by Royals’ new Australian recruit, Mitchell Owen.

With the playoffs approaching, Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell will be pleased to see young batting talents like Hermann and Stubbs finding form at a crucial stage of the tournament.

The Sunrisers’ seamers once again proved their effectiveness at St George’s Park, with Marco Jansen and Craig Overton leading the charge. Jansen, the competition’s leading wicket-taker, delivered another match-winning spell, taking 3/22. Overton was equally lethal, picking up 3/15, as the Royals collapsed to 100 all out in just 18.2 overs.

Paarl Royals struggled from the outset, losing quick wickets as Lhuan-dre Pretorius (3) and Mitchell Owen (7) failed to make an impact. They were reeling at 22/5 before Rubin Hermann (35 off 39 balls, with three fours and a six) and Andile Phehlukwayo (22 off 24 balls, with two fours and a six) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership. However, the damage had already been done, and the team was bowled out well short of the target.