2nd Semi-Final, Centurion, February 09, 2023, 09:00 PM
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
213/5(20.0ov)
Johannesburg Super Kings
199/6(20.0ov)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat Johannesburg Super Kings by 14 runs
Right then, that is it from this game and the final for the inaugural edition of the SA20 is set. It will be Pretoria Capitals taking on Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Saturday, the 11th of February at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. That game will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) but you can join us early for the build-up. Cheers!
Aiden Markram (100 off 58 balls), the skipper of Sunrisers Eastern Cape is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Markram says that it feels like a great day and they are proud to be in the final. Adds that in the T20 format, this was his best knock and the win means more in the end than his knock. Says that he got a bit nervous during the chase and credits the bowlers for having those plans but adds that the execution could be better. Mentions that he looks forward to the final and hopes that they can execute their plans better.
Faf du Plessis, the captain of Johannesburg Super Kings, says that until the last four overs, it was going well for them. Feels that was a game-changing moment. Praises the knock of Reeza Hendricks for putting up a great performance. Adds that he is very disappointed but that's cricket for you. Further says that they had an unbelievable run but they were a bit off with the ball at the backend. Calls it a tough ground and mentions that bowling no balls cost them.
Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Sunrisers Eastern Cape bounced from being 10/2 and ended with a massive score of 213/5. This was possible thanks to a brilliant inning from their skipper Aiden Markram who annihilated the opposition bowlers once he got set and notched up his maiden T20 ton as well. Jordan Hermann also played a crucial role as he gave ample support to the skipper. As for the Johannesburg Super Kings bowlers, Lizaad Williams was the standout with a four-fer and Maheesh Theekshana was fairly economical as well. With a big total to chase down, Reeza Hendricks led a spirited fightback but Sunrisers Eastern Cape were able to hold their nerves and ended up winning the contest by 14 runs.
Johannesburg Super Kings will feel that the game got away from them when they conceded 87 runs in the last 5 overs of the first innings and losing their talismanic skipper for a duck didn't help them either. Reeza Hendricks though almost pulled off the impossible and did get some help as a few batters played important cameos at the other end. Donovan Ferreira and Romario Shepherd did find the fence with regularity but it just wasn't enough and unfortunately for Hendricks, he too fell in the final over, just 4 runs short of what would have been a sensational hundred.
With 213 runs on the board, Sunrisers Eastern Cape got off to a cracking start with the ball as well, picking up two wickets in the first two overs. But they failed to capitalize and were treated to some world-class shot-making by Reeza Hendricks. The Sunrisers however managed to break crucial stands just at the right time and Roelof van der Merwe stepped up a couple of times and was excellent with the ball. The pacers did go the distance but did enough to pick up the win.
An absolute humdinger of a contest but in the end, it is Sunrisers Eastern Cape who have just about managed to get over the line and have made it through to the final. It is heartbreak though for Johannesburg Super Kings who gave it their all but just ended up falling short.
In over# 20
6
1
0W
1
2
1b
Ottniel Baartman 28/1(3)
19.6
6
SIX! Romario Shepherd finishes the match with a biggie but that's not going to be enough. Too full in length, around off, Shepherd hangs deep inside the crease and rockets it over long off. Sunrisers Eastern Cape win by 14 runs and are through to the final.
19.5
1
Fullish and on off, Sibonelo Makhanya drives it back to the bowler who deflects it towards mid on. They cross.
Sibonelo Makhanya is the new man in.
19.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! No century for Reeza Hendricks but a superb fight. Fuller in length and around off, Reeza Hendricks clears his front leg for a big shot down the ground but fails to get the desired connection. Brydon Carse makes no mistake near the fence.
19.3
1
This is it then. Full toss around leg, Romario forces it down to wide long on for one. The celebration has started in the dugout for Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
19.2
2
Aerial but safe. Full toss on middle, Romario Shepherd tries to heave but gets a top edge. It flies behind the keeper and falls safely. They collect to two runs.
19.1
1b
Big swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Reeza is early into the shot and misses. They steal a bye. 25 needed off 5 balls.
Ottniel Baartman (2-0-18-0) to bowl the final over.
In over# 19
4
6
1
1
0
6
Sisanda Magala 46/1(4)
18.6
4
FOUR! 26 needed off the final over. Sisanda Magala serves it full and around off, Romario Shepherd shuffles across the stumps and whips across the line. It comes off the inner edge and scoots past short fine leg.