The SA20 Tournament thus far has been a bit of a roller coaster for the Sunrisers as they bounce from bottom of the log to 2nd, win against teams they didn’t expect to and lose to teams that they shouldn’t have.

As we move in to the closing phases of this 30 game tournament Gqeberha says goodbye to the Sunrisers as they play their last home game at St Georges Park at 13h30 today against the Paarl Royals in Match 21.

The Sunrisers played against the Royals on 19 January 2023 at Boland Park and won by 5 wickets. The Sunrisers (17 points) are above the Paarl Royals (13 points) with both having played 7 matches in the tournament (4 won and 3 lost for the Sunrisers and 3 won and 4 lost for the Royals).

If I had an account with Betway I may just be tempted to take a flyer on a succesful outcome for the Sunrisers who appear to hold most of the cards – higher on the log and a home ground advantage – BUT we will wait until the fat lady sings or is caught dancing or kissing on the cam before laying that bet and saying; “I told you so!”.

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape win the toss and choose to bat first – could this be an echo of the last match against Durban’s Super Giants when the Sunrisers won by 124 runs?

Adam Rossington and Jordan Hermann stepped out to open for the Sunrisers. A good start from Rossington with a four to open BUT Rossington (4 from 2 balls with 1 four and after 1 minute at the crease) lofted a sitter of a catch to David Miller off of the bowling of Bjorn Fortuin. Sunrisers on 4/1.

Next batsman in – Jon-Jon Smuts.

At the close of 5 overs the Sunrisers were on 30/1 with Smuts (22) and Hermann (4) at the crease sharing a partnership of 26 runs. The run rate of 6.0 was useful but not spectacular.

The doom continued in the 6th over with new bowler Jones taking the scalp of Jordan Hermann (caught behind by wicketkeeper, Buttler for 4 runs after 25 minutes, 10 balls). Sunrisers on 30/2 with a 5.3 run rate.

Next batsman in – Aiden Markram.

The 50 up for the Sunrisers came up after 40 minutes, 54 balls and 6 fours – 50/2 with Smuts (33) and Markram (8) holding the fort on a 5.7 run rate. Certainly not the nail biting stuff from the previous match as we hold thumbs for a successful outcome which, frankly, seemed to be fading away as play progressed.

After 10 overs the Sunrisers were on 63/2 with a 6.3 run rate. Both Markram (11) and Smuts (43) still at the crease. Sunrisers need to lift their scoring rate significantly to make headway in this match.

Drama in the 13th over as Jon-Jon Smuts reached his 50 (52 minutes, 40 balls and 7 fours) only for Markram (15 runs after 30 minutes, 19 balls) to be bowled by Phehlukwayo. And in came the Great Hope – Tristan Stubbs. Sunrisers on 74/3 with a 6.0 run rate.

The Sunrisers 15th over brought some relief and hope for fans as Stubbs played Cheeky and Crafty shots for a couple of fours off of the bowling of Jones to bring them to 100 runs after 66 minutes, 91 balls and 12 fours with a 6.7 run rate. 100/3.

And then the Fat Lady sang for Smuts (65 runs after 69 minutes, 49 minutes and 9 fours) as he went out lbw to the bowling of Shamsi. Sunrisers on 102/4 with a 6.6 run rate.

Next batsman in – Marco Jansen.

In the 18th over Tristan Stubbs had 6 runs to go to score 1000 in his T20 career and he started that tilt at his personal record with a four – 2 short of his target and then he went for another massive hit to propel him over the mark BUT it was in vain as Jones caught him on the boundary off of the bowling of Phehlukwayo. Stubbs scored 18 runs after 29 minutes from 17 balls and 3 fours. Sunrisers on 113/5 after 17.5 overs with a 6.3 run rate.

Next batsman in – James Fuller who spent 5 minutes at the crease (1 run from 4 balls) only to be bowled by Ngidi. Sunrisers on 116/6 with a 6.2 run rate.

Next batsman in – Brydon Carse.

With 4 balls to go in the last over it was the turn of Marco Jansen (caught Bosch – sub – bowled Jones after 22 minutes and posting 13 runs from 10 balls and 1 six) to return to the changing rooms. Sunrisers on 124/7 with a 6.4 run rate.

Next batsman in – Sarel Erwee.

After 20 overs the Sunrisers Eastern Cape posted 130/7 with a 6.5 run rate setting the Paarl Royals a target of 131.

Opening for the Royals were Jason Roy and Jon Buttler facing Jon-Jon Smuts who is such a consistent all-rounder that we expect him to don wicketkeeper gloves soon as well…

The Sunrisers need to restrict the Royals to 104 or less in order to gain a bonus point.

At the close of their first 5 overs the Royals were on 38/0 with a 7.6 run rate – Roy (7) and Buttler (31) settled in nicely and Sunrisers in trouble. At the same point in their innings the Sunrisers were on 30/1 with a run rate of 6.0.

FINALLY in the 6th over we saw a wicket as Marco Jansen sent Jason Roy (8 runs after 23 minutes and 16 balls) home after being caught by Sarel Erwee. Royals on 46/1 and a 7.9 run rate.

Next batsman – Wiaan Lubbe to face Roelof van der Merwe.

Not a good day for Lubbe as van der Merwe put paid to his hopes – lbw as he walked on 2 runs after 8 minutes and 4 balls.

Roelof van der Merwe’s wicket placed him on the top of the stats table for bowling – after 6 matches he has taken 13 wickets in 21 overs against 104 runs. Two other bowlers have also taken 13 wickets (Nortje in 7 matches and Fortuin in 8 matches).

Next batsman in – Mitchell van Buuren.

The Royals reached 50 runs after 7.4 overs with a run rate of 6.5. In contrast the Sunrisers 50 up came up after 40 minutes, 54 balls and 6 fours – 50/2 with Smuts (33) and Markram (8) holding the fort on a 5.7 run rate.

After 10 overs the Royals were on 69/2 with a 6.9 run rate. In contrast after 10 overs the Sunrisers were on 63/2 with a 6.3 run rate.

The return of Magala saw the demise of Mitchell van Buuren – caught van der Merwe and bowled Magala for 14 runs after 21 minutes, 15 balls and 1 six. Royals on 72/3 after 11.2 overs with a 6.3 run rate.

Next batsman in – Andile Phehlukwayo.

Jos Buttler scored his 50 after 39 balls.

The van der Merwe heart breaking express continued it’s path of destruction as he put paid to Royals danger man, Jon Buttler (51 runs after 59 minutes, 39 balls, 4 fours and 2 sixes) and bowled him out. Royals on 80/4 and on a 6.2 run rate.

Next batsman in – David Miller.

In his last over for the day Jon-Jon Smuts was responsible for Andile Phehlukwayo losing his wicket (caught Fuller) for 4 runs after 17 minutes and 7 balls. Royals on 91/5 on a 6.3 run rate.

Next batsman in – Dane Vilas.

Hope returned to St Georges Park at the close of over 15 for the Royals as they posted 92/5 with a 6.1 run rate which lagged the Sunrisers at the same point in their innings which saw them on 100/3.

With 6th Royals lagging on the required run rate their 100 up came after 101 balls with Vilas (5) and Miller (13) at the crease. The Sunrisers 100 came 66 minutes, 91 balls and 12 fours with a 6.7 run rate and the loss of 3 wickets.

And, it has to be said, young Magala let the side down in his 3rd over bowled as he conceded 25 runs turning a situation of hope into one of dispair as the Royals now needed 5 runs from 12 balls to win – a far cry from 32 runs off of 20 balls earlier.

What a disappointing match for the Sunrisers as the Royals reached 131/5 beating the Sunrisers by 5 wickets.

Man of the Match: David Miller

Views Since 15 July 2022: 333

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE

Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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