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Kavya Maran after the Sunrisers’ victory in SA20© Twitter
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape claimed back-to-back SA20 titles with an empathic 89-run victory over the Durban Super Giants at Newlands on Saturday night. After topping the group stage, the Sunrisers put in a clinical performance in the final. The Sunrisers bowling unit was as economical as it has been throughout the competition, with Marco Jansen starring with 5/30, although victory was secured by Dan Worrall (2/15) and Ottniel Baartman (2/17).
Half-centuries from Tom Abell (55 off 34 balls, eight fours and two sixes) and Tristan Stubbs (56* off 30 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), along with contributions from Jordan Hermann and captain Aiden Markram, who contributed 42 , respectively, saw the Sunrisers post a formidable 204/3 in their 20 overs.
Partnerships were crucial in the Sunrisers’ innings with Hermann and Abell setting the winning total with a 90-run stand for the second wicket after the early loss of Dawid Malan.
Durban Super Giants captain Keshav Maharaj hit back with a double wicket by removing the two fielded batsmen in Hermann and Abell.
But the Sunrisers showed they had much more in reserve, with Markram and Stubbs rebuilding the innings before exploding towards the end for 98 runs off 55 balls.
The Sunrisers bowling unit has been their strongest discipline all season and their seamers certainly rose to the occasion that night.
Dan Worrall (15/2) set the tone again with the dismissal of Quinton de Kock (3) early on before Marco Jansen struck two hammer blows in the fourth with the elimination of Jon-Jon Smuts (1) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0) to leave the Super Giants reeling at 7/3.
Wiaan Mulder tried to recover with a quick 38 off 22 balls, with three fours and two sixes, but that was when Ottniel Baartman (2/17) delivered the moment of the match.
He had already dismissed Matthew Breetzke for a slow 18 off 27 balls, but it was his inside swinger who wrapped up the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen on the first ball off the pads that closed the game as a contest.
DSG were on the ropes at 63/5, which left the door open for Jansen (5/30) to charge in and finish off the Super Giants’ tail to complete the back-to-back wins. DSG were bowled out for just 115 runs in 17 overs.
It was a touching moment for Jansen after he scored all six last season, won the inaugural SA20 championship and has now claimed the final wicket again this year.
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