Last Update: January 17, 2023, 12:54 PM IST
Aiden Markram was chosen as the player of the match. (pic credit: TW/SunrisersEC)
Aiden Markram took 2/8 with the ball to restrict MI Cape Town to 158/8 before scoring 50 off 35 balls, which handed Sunrisers their first win.
Aiden Markram’s all-round performance has provided Sunrisers Eastern Cape a boost as they open their SA20 account. It was tough for Sunrisers heading into their clash with MI Cape Town at St George’s Park on Monday evening as they were the only team to win a game in this year’s competition.
But all that changed on another pleasant night in Gakibera. And to mark the occasion, thousands of people went home smiling, having danced the whole night to the tunes of the St George’s Park Band.
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Markram took 2/8 with the ball to restrict MI Cape Town to 158/8 before scoring 50 off 35 balls which gave Sunrisers their first win.
The skipper initially needed help from Proteas Test opener Sarel Ervi (41 off 35 balls) as the pair shared a 92-run stand for the third wicket before dropping it to Tristan Stubbs late in the innings.
Stubbs is yet to take the field but the costliest player in the SA20 auction was determined to take his team forward on Monday.
He fell short of his target when the powerful right-handed batsman was dismissed in the final over, but by then he had done significant damage, scoring 30 runs in just 18 balls.
Stubbs, along with Markram and Jordan Cox, became part of Odion Smith’s three scalps as the West Indies all-rounder threatened Sunrisers’ chase.
But there was no denying Sunrisers, especially after their stupendous bowling performance.
Sisanda Magala took the responsibility of leading the attack and played the role to finish with 2/22. Fellow seamer Otneil Baartman also played his part with 3/45.
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Rassie van der Dussen (29) and George Linde (63 off 28 balls) turned the tide with a solid partnership, until MI Cape Town could build any momentum during their innings due to regular loss of wickets.
The switch in momentum – one of many on the night – shifted to Sunrisers’ chase with Sam Curran (2/37) removing both openers Adam Rossington (0) and JJ Smuts (8) in their opening spells.
However, Markram was determined not to let the slide continue and would eventually mix an attack with caution to revive the successful chase.
The Sunrisers will now travel to Cape Town for a rematch with MI Cape Town at Newlands on Wednesday.
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