SA20: Sunrisers clinch fourth victory, rise to second place
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Synopsis
On January 25, Sunrisers Eastern Cape triumphed at St George’s Park, marking their fourth consecutive win and elevating them to second place in the SA20 standings. Aiden Markram's leadership and Marco Jansen's bowling were pivotal in securing a hard-fought 14-run victory over Joburg Super Kings.
Key Takeaways
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape achieve fourth consecutive win.
- They climb to second place in the SA20 table.
- Aiden Markram scores 43 runs to anchor the innings.
- Marco Jansen leads the bowling attack effectively.
- Team's total was a competitive 165/4.
Gqeberha, Jan 25 (NationPress) Sunrisers Eastern Cape set St George’s Park ablaze with their fourth straight win, propelling the defending champions to the second position on the SA20 leaderboard.
With a total of 19 points, Sunrisers are just one point behind the league leaders, Paarl Royals, who have played one match less.
The 14-run victory against the Joburg Super Kings was hard-fought, with the Sunrisers once again depending on their captain Aiden Markram and their senior bowler Marco Jansen.
Markram anchored the innings with a commendable 43 runs off 29 balls, and Tristan Stubbs made a significant contribution with 35 not out from 22 balls.
Opening batsman David Bedingham also played a crucial role, scoring a solid 37 runs, helping the Sunrisers set a competitive total of 165/4.
“Their batting line-up is formidable. The score of 160 seemed to be a good one. They bowled exceptionally well,” commented JSK captain Faf du Plessis.
“They bowled tight overs and put pressure on us. Sunrisers have been very successful at home.”
Sunrisers’ bowling unit has been a game-changer throughout their last four matches, showcasing their prowess once again on a thrilling night in Gqeberha.
Jansen led the charge with the new ball during the Powerplay. Despite dropping Du Plessis (27 runs off 18 balls) at slip, Jansen quickly dismissed the JSK captain two balls later.
Harmer redeemed himself by holding onto the catch the second time.
Markram's astute captaincy was evident as he gave Jansen a third over during the Powerplay, aiming to break the strong opening partnership between Du Plessis and Devon Conway.
The New Zealand player anchored the JSK innings with 43 runs off 40 balls, but lacked support, preventing the visitors from chasing down the target.
The Sunrisers’ bowling attack applied relentless pressure, with Richard Gleeson (2-37), Ottneil Baartman (2-32), Liam Dawson (1-10), and Markram (1-21) all contributing to the Super Kings’ struggles.
“Our bowling unit is clear on their strategies, having played a lot of T20 cricket. They assess conditions, devise a plan, and then execute it,” Markram stated.
“They have been crucial to our success. Even tonight, when the game was balanced, they devised and executed their plans effectively.”
