On Monday 16 January 2023, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape (2 matches into the tournament) played their third match in the SA20 series against log leaders MI Cape Town (3 matches into the tournament).

Sunrisers were still languishing on 0 points and last place (6th) in the tournament. With half an hour to go to the start of the match it began to look like the crowd would not reach the same numbers as for the opening game against Pretoria Capitals last week.

What a historic match for the Sunrisers…

The Sunrisers won the toss and elected to bowl first.

An early wicket for the Sunrisers from the last ball of the second over saw Ryan Rickelton caught by Cox and bowled by Sisanda Magala. Rickelton spent 9 minutes at the crease, faced 7 balls and scored 7 runs with 1 four. MI Cape Town on 11/1 with a 5.5 Run Rate.

Next batsman in – Roelofsen.

Continuing with the ‘tradition’ of ‘wicket on the last ball of the over’ saw Roelofsen walk after being caught by Magala off the bowling of Baartman. Roelofsen spent 12 minutes at the crease, faced 7 balls, made 8 runs with 2 fours.

Next Batsman – Curran.

At the close of 5 overs the MI Cape Town were on 30/2 with a run rate of 6.

Another slow 2.5 overs until danger man and opening bat Dewald Brevis was sent back to the change room – caught by Stubbs on the Boundary off the bowling of Markram. Brevis faced 28 balls over 34 minutes scoring 15 runs with 1 four.

Next batsman in – Rassie van der Dussen. MI Cape Town on 45/3 with a 5.7 run rate.

The 50 up mark for WI Cape Town came after 38 minutes, 55 balls, 4 fours – van der Dussen (3) and Curran (7) at the crease. Run Rate – 5.6.

Next wicket to fall was that of Sam Curran (21 minutes, 10 balls, 8 runs) bowled by Markram. MI Cape Town on 52/4 with a run rate of 5.4. Could we detect a touch of excitement as the possibility of the Sunrisers first win in the tournament became a possibility?

Next batsman in – George Linde.

At the close of 10 overs MI Cape Town had posted 53/4 with a run rate of 5.3.

At the 100 up mark after 14.1 overs we saw middle order batsmen van der Dussen (24) and Linde (28) stamping their authority on the match. Three magnificent overs saw the run rate climb to 7.2 as they battered Fuller and Baartman’s bowling.

With 5 overs left in the match MI Cape Town were on 111/4 and a run rate of 7.4. At the crease were van der Dussen (29) and Linde (34).

It was left to Magala to scalp the wicket of van der Dussen (29 runs after 36 minutes from 22 balls, 4 fours and 1 six) on the first ball of the 16th over with a magnificent lbw on the left foot. A review was called for and lost. MI Cape Town on 11/5 with a 7.3 run rate.

Next batsman in – Odean Smith.

Just as Odean Smith (10 runs, 9 minutes, 8 balls, 1 six) was getting warmed up and knocking the ball with abandon he fell to the bowling of Jansen and was caught on the Duck Pond end boundary by Fuller. MI Cape Town on 124/6 with a 7.4 run rate.

Next batsman in – Delano Potgieter.

Potgieter only managed 2 runs after 5 minutes – caught behind by Jansen off the bowling of Baartman. MI Cape Town on 7.6 run rate with 2 overs to go.

Next batsman in – Rashid Kahn (Captain).

MI Cape Town’s only batsman to reach 50 runs was George Linde on the 3rd ball of the 19th over. Linde reached this milestone after 46 minutes, 24 balls, 3 Fours and 1 six. MI Cape Town on 7.5 run rate.

At the end of their allotted 20 overs MI Cape Town were on 158/8 with Linde (63) and Khan (5) not out. They set the Sunrisers a run rate of 7.9 to have a chance of winning and hitting 159.

Rossington and Smuts strode out confidently (cockily?) to open the Sunrisers innings. Rossington as the opening batsman faced Curran who dealt him a crushing blow and he set a record that he will not care to share around the fire – a Golden Duck and the first time ever there has been a first-ball wicket in the SA20. Adam Rossington was caught by Rabada off of the bowling of Curran.

Next batsman in – Erwee. Sunrisers on 0/1.

8 Balls later Jon Jon Smuts succumbed to Curran from a full ball which hit the pad. After being given LBW, Smuts called for a reviewed. Umpire’s call – wicket. Smuts walked home shaking his head after 8 runs, 11 minutes, 2 fours.

Next batsman in – Markram. Sunrisers on 9/2 with a 3.6 run rate.

After 5 overs the Sunrisers were on 33/2 with a run rate of 6.6. At the same spot in their innings MI Cape Town were on 30/2 with a run rate of 6.

Sunrisers clocked 50 runs after 6.3 (39 balls) overs with a run rate of 7.7. Markram (23) and Erwee (19) holding steady. By contrast the 50 up mark for WI Cape Town came after 38 minutes, 55 balls.

The Erwee/Markram 50 up partnership came in the 9th over after 26 minutes, 36 balls, 6 fours, 1 six. Erwee on 25 and Markram on 27. Sunrisers on 60/2 after 8.3 overs with a 7.1 run rate.

With 10 overs done and dusted the Sunrisers were on 74/2 with a 7.4 run rate. Enjoying their time at the crease were Erwee (29) and Markram (31). at the same point in their game the MI Cape Town were on 53/4 with a run rate of 5.3.

With 85 runs needed to win plus power batsmen Stubbs and Jansen still to come it began to look like the Sunrisers had a chance at their first win in the tournament.

Erwee and Markram raced to 100 up after 11.4 overs, 52 minutes, 71 balls, 11 fours and 2 sixes, Run Rate of 8.6. At the same point in their innings the MI Cape Town hit the 100 up mark after 14.1 overs with a run rate of 7.2.

Then, disappointment for Erwee as he was sent home lbw from Khan. Erwee walked on 41 runs after 35 balls, 3 fours and 2 sixes. Sunrisers on 101/3 and a run rate of 8.3.

Next batsman in – Tristan Stubbs.

Markram bagged his 50 runs after 33 balls, 7 fours. And that is where he stayed after being caught out by Rickelton off of the bowling of Smith. Markram was at the crease for 50 minutes, faced 35 balls and hit 7 fours.

Next batsman in – Jordan Cox.

Cox managed 5 minutes at the crease – lbw Smith after an appeal and review. Sunrisers on 109/5 and a 7.9 run rate.

Next batsman in – Jansen.

A massive six closed out the Sunrisers 15th over putting them on 120/5 and a 8.0 run rate with Stubbs (7) and Jansen (7) at the crease. At the same point in their innings MI Cape Town were on 111/4 and a run rate of 7.4.

Tragedy on the first ball of the last over as Stubbs is caught by Roelofsen bowled by Smith. Stubbs walks on 30 runs (his shirt number) after 38 minutes, 18 balls, 2 fours and 1 six.

With the Sunrisers needing 6 runs to win the next batsman in is Fuller who opens with a four leaving the Sunrisers with 1 run to win from 4 balls remaining. And the next ball Fuller is good for another four as St Georges Park erupts for the first win of the tournament for the Sunrisers who post 158/6 after 19.2 overs.

Man of the Match – Sunrisers Captain Aiden Markram with very economical bowling figures 8/2 and 50 with the bat.

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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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