Match 30, Gqeberha, February 04, 2024, 07:00 PM
Paarl Royals
159/7(20.0ov)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
165/5(19.5ov)
Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat Paarl Royals by 5 wickets
Right then that's it from the final league game of the SA20 2024. The next game of the SA20 league will be Qualifier 1 between Durban Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape on 6th February at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT). You can join us an hour early for the build-up. Till then cheers!
The player of the match had to be Patrick Kruger for his excellent cameo to wrap up the game in favor of his side. Patrick Kruger is up for a quick chat and says that a lot was going through his mind but he tried to stay composed and back his ability. He continues that he was working hard for this moment and he feels lucky that it came off on a positive note. Ends up saying he is working with his coaches and they have always helped in.
The victorious skipper or Sunrisers Eastern Cape Aiden Markram says the guys know their roles and they execute their roles to perfection leading up to them winning the close games. Adds that they try to assess and adopt conditions wherever they travel and it doesn't look the most attractive brand of cricket but it is effective for sure. Mentions that a big game against a great team awaits them and they are excited to play that and go directly to the finals. Acknowledges the crowd support and thanks them for coming in numbers and supporting them
The losing skipper of Paarl Royals David Miller says that they are having a good campaign but there are a few things to improve on and they will do it surely. He continues that his team has done well throughout the league stage but the main stage is knocking at the door. He ends up saying that they had the game under control at certain phases but they let it go away.
Stay tuned for the presentation ...
Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, Paarl Royals started the innings well but lost their way in the middle. The top order batted decently as the top 3 accumulated 65 runs in 9 overs but the middle phase belonged to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Paarl Royals then thanks to a brilliant partnership of 49 between Dane Vilas and Wihan Lubbe for the 5th wicket managed to post a fighting total. Jos Buttler top-scored for them with 38 while Dane Vilas played a good hand of 34 and Wihan Lubbe of 27. Ottniel Baartman was the pick of the bowler as he picked up a couple of rest all chipped in with a wicket each.
The bowlers of Paarl Royals bowled well as they kept things tight and tried their best to keep things in check but they fell short eventually. Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 3 while Nqabayomzi Peter and Codi Yusuf took a wicket each. It was the experience of a lifetime for the young leggie Nqabayomzi Peter as he was asked to bowl the last over defending just 8 and he must have grown a lot in the last 4 deliveries he bowled.
Chasing down a decent total, The Sunrisers Eastern Cape inning got off to a slow and steady start. The opening pair added 33. The side was soon 2 down for 49 and under some pressure. An excellent 3rd wicket partnership of 63 runs between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma then calmed the nerves of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. With rain lurking around the horizon and both teams next-to-neck the wicket of Aiden Markram came as a big blow to Sunrisers Eastern Cape but the arrival of Tristan Stubbs came in as a blessing in disguise. Tristan Stubbs hit a boundary early on in his innings on the second delivery he faced and the side was soon one run ahead as per DLS when the umpires decided to stop the game after 15.5 to be precise. The players were soon out as the rain vanished and Tristan Stubbs was single-handedly winning this for his side post rain but his wicket came as a lifeline for Paarl Royals but soon lost the plot with a blinder of an inning from Patrick Kruger as he scored 26 of just 7 deliveries and wins this for the side.
Patrick Kruger has won it for Sunrisers Eastern Cape with a gem of an innings of 26 from 7 deliveries. A thriller ends in favor of Sunrisers Eastern Cape as they defeat Paarl Royals in the final game of the league stage by 5 wickets.
In over# 20
6
4
2
1
0W
Nqabayomzi Peter 27/1(1.5)
19.5
6
SIX! What a way to end the match! Exceptional from Patrick Kruger! Up, up and over! Tossed up delivery on stump. Patrick Kruger holds his stance and waits for the perfect timing to heave it straight to the sight screen. Sunrisers got their three points which helped them to top the points table. Sunrisers Eastern Cape wins against Paarl Royals by 5 wickets!
19.4
4
FOUR! Score's level! Nqabayomzi Peter bowls it fuller on the stump. Patrick Kruger clears his front foot and swings his bat hard straight to the ground in between the long off and long on fielder.
19.3
2
Good running in between! Low full toss around off. Patrick Kruger slogs it towards mid-wicket and gets the double.
19.2
1
Flatter and on leg. Liam Dawson pushes it towards the long on region for a single.
What a start to the final over from the youngster as removes Temba Bavuma. Liam Dawson walks out next with 8 still needed of the last 5.
19.1
W
OUT! It's not over yet says Nqabayomzi Peter! This one is fuller, spinning it away from the batter, outside off. Temba Bavuma tries to swat it over the long on fence against the spin but fails to get the middle of the willow. The ball flies towards the long on region and Dane Vilas makes no mistake.
In over# 19
6
2
0
6
0W
0
Andile Phehlukwayo 33/3(4)
18.6
6
SIX! Another one! Patrick Kruger proving himself! This one is full toss, on off. Patrick Kruger shuffles towards the off side and pulls this one with all his strength over the fence of deep square leg.
18.5
2
On a length and lower wide outside off. Patrick Kruger pushes it towards extra cover and gets a double.