Brilliant top-order batting and brilliant slow bowling by Roelof van der Merwe saw the Eastern Cape Sunrisers to a record 124-run victory in the SA20 match at St George’s Park on Sunday night, and Durban’s Super Giants will have to rethink quickly. strategy and performance.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Durban’s Super Giants’ bowlers were all over the place and Sunrisers opener Adam Rossington was quick to capitalize. He plundered 72 from just 30 deliveries as the home side raced to 101 in nine overs before Rossington ran out, wanting a second run, which was never on, off a free hit. The burly Essex batsman hammered 10 fours and four sixes and will be kicking himself for the first SA20 century for him at the plate.
With St George’s Park buzzing, another opener, Jordan Hermann, maintained his dominance with a smooth, pugnacious 59 from 44 balls, adding 68 from 49 deliveries for the second wicket with Aiden Markram.
Rain interrupted one ball from Sunrisers after Hermann’s dismissal, but it passed after half an hour, and Markram and Tristan Stubbs ensured a quick end to the innings as they bashed 31 runs from the last 21 balls to lift it. front side for 210/2.
Markram played a fine innings of 44 not out from 34 balls, while Stubbs finished superbly with 27 not out from 13 deliveries, including a stunning reverse-scoop for six off Jason Holder in the final over.
The biggest surprise was the feat of Durban spinner Akila Dananjaya (3-0-19-0), as Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen scored 65 runs in six innings.
Amid the carnage, West Indian paceman Keemo Paul never bowled.
You are the best
Durban Super Giants also ignored the received wisdom that your best batsman should face the ball a lot, Quinton de Kock only coming in at No.5 after the powerplay was over.
The left-hander Van der Merwe slowly came into the attack and he beat Heinrich Klaasen (1) with his first ball and then sent De Kock back to the dugout with a first-ball duck, which was left-footed without a sweep and turned. trapped lbw.
Spin has worked for Sunrisers as Aiden Markram (3-1-11-1) bowled Matthew Breetzke (3) in the first innings and then bowled a maiden in the second. With Jon-Jon Smuts’ armor also remaining tight, Durban have limped to 35/2 in the powerplay.
Van der Merwe then tore through the rest of the batting, taking an incredible 6/20 in four overs, equaling Nono Pongolo’s mark for Jozi Stars v Tshwane Spartans in 2018 for the best figures in T20 cricket in South Africa.
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The winning margin was 124, as the Super Giants were bundled out for 86 in the 15th over.Th over, also the biggest so far in SA20.
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