Sunriers Eastern Cape got past Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 Eliminator at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday night, inflicting a 32-run defeat to book a spot in Thursday night’s Qualifier 2 against Paarl Royals at the same venue.
There is something about Aiden Markram playing a knockout fixture against the Super Kings in Centurion that seems to ignite a strong enough fire in his belly to bat them into the ground.
On Wednesday, the Sunrisers captain put on yet another knockout batting master-class against the Joburg outfit, having done the same two years ago at the same venue against the same team.
On that occasion, he would go on to score a century then to guide his team to the final.
Two years later, the 30-year-old right-hander smashed an unbeaten 62 off 40 balls under immense pressure, an innings which saw the right-handed batter strike five fours and two enormous sixes.
𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆! 💣 A massive six, taking the game to the next level!@DP_World Dispatch of the Day!#BetwaySA20 #SECvJSK #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/4jxHGrJ21M
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) February 5, 2025
Though Markram stood out, the foundation was set nicely by David Bedingham (27) at the top of the order, and then Tristan Stubbs (26) followed suit in the middle-order.
However, it was Marco Jansen who took the game away from the Super Kings with a 12-ball 23, combining for a 53-run stand with Markram, with 38 of those runs coming in the last two overs as the pair guided the Sunrisers to a competitive 184/6.
The 24-year-old all-rounder Jansen carried his form into his new-ball spell, dismissing Devon Conway (30) just as he was starting to run away with the game in the first Powerplay.
Faf du Plessis is rolling back the years in Centurion 🤯🤯
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 5, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwaySA20 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/HUDw61A0sM
Despite the wicket, the Super Kings managed to put on 49/1 in the first Powerplay, with Faf du Plessis and debutant JP King in the middle.
However, with a pace attack as strong as that of the Sunrisers under lights, with Protea Ottneil Baartman (2/25) and two Englishmen in Richard Gleeson and Craig Overton (2/20), a wicket was inevitable as Du Plessis (19) was lured into a slog, only to find Markram’s safe hands at long-off.
Craig Overton goes bang bang 💥 💥 #BetwaySA20 #SECvJSK #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/xUZzi8m9oW
From thereon, the Super Kings struggled to put together meaningful partnerships as King (9), Wihan Lubbe (13) and Moeen Ali (0) departed without having much of an impact.
Wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow, who’s been rescuing the Super Kings with the bat all season, dared to try and put the Joburg side in a winning position once again.
However, with 94 runs required to win in seven overs and not many specialist batters to come, Bairstow’s (37) efforts were just not enough as he was clean-bowled by slow left-arm orthodox Liam Dawson (2/35) in the 15th over.
Brief Scores
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 184/6 (Aiden Markram 62 not out; Imran Tahir 2/21)
Joburg Super Kings 152/7 (Jonny Bairstow 37; Craig Overton 2/20)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape won by 32 runs