Sunrisers Eastern Cape stay on course for SA20 hat-trick with eliminator win over Joburg Super Kings

Sunrisers Eastern Cape kept their hopes alive for a third consecutive SA20 title with a commanding 32-run victory over Joburg Super Kings in the eliminator at Centurion on Thursday. Led by captain Aiden Markram, whose unbeaten 62 off 40 balls powered the team to a formidable total of 184/6, the defending champions ensured their place in Qualifier 2 against Paarl Royals at the same venue.

Markram’s innings was instrumental in securing the win, with the skipper finding form once again at the Pretoria ground. His knock included five fours and two sixes, providing the much-needed acceleration in the final overs. A crucial contribution also came from Marco Jansen, who smashed 23 off 12 balls, including two fours and two sixes, as the Sunrisers plundered 29 runs off Lutho Sipamla’s penultimate over. Sipamla had a forgettable outing, conceding three sixes, two boundaries, and a no-ball, finishing with the second-most expensive bowling figures in SA20 history at 0/72. Meanwhile, veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the standout performer with the ball for Joburg Super Kings, returning figures of 2/21.

In pursuit of 185, the Super Kings struggled to find momentum, eventually managing only 152/7 in their 20 overs. At 91/3 after 12 overs, with Jonny Bairstow (37 off 17 balls, three fours and three sixes) and Wihan Lubbe (13) at the crease, Joburg looked poised for a competitive chase, needing 94 runs from 48 balls. However, Markram made a decisive tactical move by opting to bowl out Craig Overton early. The seamer delivered a match-turning spell, producing a double-wicket maiden that removed Lubbe and Moeen Ali, leaving Super Kings reeling at 91/5. From there, they never recovered, suffering their third consecutive playoff defeat.

Reflecting on the victory, Markram praised his team’s efforts, acknowledging that this was the closest they had come to executing a complete performance in the tournament. He commended the bowlers for their brilliance, noting that the conditions under lights helped them extract more from the pitch.

He also explained the strategy behind delaying the use of spinners until later in the innings due to the variable bounce on the surface. On the batting front, he highlighted the crucial middle-phase acceleration, crediting Tristan Stubbs for building momentum before Jansen’s late flourish sealed a competitive total.