In a riveting contest at Kingsmead, Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) avenged their previous defeat, clinching a five-wicket victory over Durban’s SuperGiants (DSG) in the SA20. This win not only secured revenge for the loss in the reverse fixture but also showcased the rising stars of the team, notably Tristan Stubbs and Simon Harmer.
Tristan Stubbs, the R9 million auction sensation, was the hero for SEC with an explosive 37-ball 66, steering his team home in a challenging chase. Earlier, Simon Harmer, named the Player of the Match (POTM), devastated the DSG middle order with an impressive 4/18 in his four overs. His strategic approach to the game, learning from past errors and adapting his style, paid off significantly.
The SuperGiants set a competitive target of 159/7, thanks to notable contributions from Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder. Klaasen’s 31 off 17 deliveries, featuring the biggest six of the tournament, and Mulder’s quickfire 52 off 29 balls, highlighted their innings. However, Quinton de Kock’s continued poor form, scoring only 7 runs off eight balls, was a concern for DSG.
SEC’s chase was initially rocky, with early wickets of Dawid Malan and Tom Abell. The tide turned with Aiden Markram’s 38 off 29, building a crucial 56-run partnership with Stubbs. The game’s dynamics shifted when Marcus Stoinis, the Australian international, took two wickets in two balls, leaving SEC in a precarious position.
However, the game changer was Noor Ahmed, the Afghanistani spinner, whose final over leaked 15 runs, giving SEC the momentum they needed. Marco Jansen’s six in the penultimate ball of Noor’s over was pivotal. The final blow was dealt by Naveen ul-Haq, conceding 20 runs in the 18th over, setting up SEC for a comfortable finish. Stubbs’ massive six off Reece Topley in the 19th over was the highlight, effectively sealing the game for SEC.
With this win, SEC improved their record to two wins from four matches, while DSG faced their second defeat in five games. The defending champions, by toppling DSG from the No. 1 spot, climbed to No. 3 themselves.
Harmer reflected on his match-winning performance and the overall success of the SA20 tournament, expressing his delight in playing in front of full stadiums and contributing to the vibrant South African cricket scene.
Markram emphasized the importance of individual performances and character in securing the ‘scrappy win’. He praised the young duo of Jansen and Stubbs for their resilience and ability to thrive under pressure, highlighting their significant contribution to the team and country.
Keshav Maharaj from DSG, despite the loss, acknowledged his team’s dominance for the most part of the game. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s reading of the track but lamented the lack of execution towards the end. Maharaj also praised Mulder’s performance and expressed gratitude for the crowd’s support.
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