Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated Paarl Royals in an inconsequential match in SA20 2024, which also happened to be the last encounter in the round-robin phase of the tournament. This match took place at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, February 4.
Both teams, having already booked their tickets to the playoffs, decided to rest some of their key players. While the Sunrisers made two changes to their playing XI, the Royals had four players coming into their side.
David Miller won the toss for the Royals and opted to bat first. Jason Roy, Mitchell van Buuren, and Miller were dismissed cheaply inside the first 10 overs but Jos Buttler played a fine knock of 38 off 22 balls. Dane Vilas also chipped in with a 25-ball 34 and his 49-run partnership off 38 balls with Wihan Lubbe (27 off 20 balls) helped their team set up a decent platform heading into the backend of the innings. However, they fell in consecutive overs and it meant that the Royals had no set batters who could capitalise at the death.
Andile Phehlukwayo remained unbeaten on 16 off 13 balls, as the batting side finished on 159/7. Ottniel Baartman was the pick of the bowlers for the Sunrisers, as he finished with figures of 2/33 in his four overs.
Sunrisers got off to a slowish start as openers Jordan Hermann and Dawid Malan got out after playing at strike rates of less than 100. While Hermann made 21 off 22 balls, Malan took 20 balls for his 19. Temba Bavuma, who had been brought into the side for this fixture, scored 33 of 30 balls and formed a decisive 63-run partnership off 45 balls alongside skipper Aiden Markram (37 off 27 balls).
Tristan Stubbs played a fine little cameo of 19 off 12 balls before Patrick Kruger’s 26 off seven deliveries helped Sunrisers get across the line with one ball to spare. Eight runs were required off the last over. Young leg-spinner Nqaba Peter was given the ball. He took a wicket off his first ball and conceded three runs off his next two balls to keep the Royals in the hunt. However, Kruger hit a four and a six off the next two balls to take his team home.
With this win, the defending champions finished on top of the table of the SA20 2024, overtaking Durban Super Giants. These two teams will lock horns in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, February 6, in Cape Town. Meanwhile, the Royals will square off against Joburg Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday, February 7, in Johannesburg.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to the encounter:
WHAT A WIN!! 🥳🔥
Patrick Kruger does it for us! 🤩#SA20 #SECvPR #PlayWithFire
— ORANGE ARMY (@SUNRISERSU) February 4, 2024
Patrick Kruger what a ball striker – will remember that name #SA20 #SECvPR
— Brent Graham (@BrentGraham) February 4, 2024
Such a shame that the @SA20_League playoff venues are predetermined…
Surely St George’s Park deserves a playoff with our team, @SunrisersEC, ending on top after the group stages…#SECvPR
— Genie Els (@eels23) February 4, 2024
Looking forward to seeing John Turner getting to bowl for @paarlroyals in #SA20 .
His T20 stats so far are impressive at:
12.22 Avg
11 Strike rate
6.66 economy
For a fast bowler thats some going#SECvPR
— Erika Morris (@ErikaMorris79) February 4, 2024
Get Baartman into SRH whenever its possible @SunRisers What a bowler he is!! excellent execution at the death🧡@SunrisersEC #SA20 #sa20league #SunrisersEasternCape #Baartman #SECvPR #SECvsPR #Markram #Buttler #Miller #Bavuma #gqeberha #OrangeArmy
— Sid♡ (@zenitsumama) February 4, 2024
The Paarl Royals closed off their inings on 159/7 setting the Sunrisers Eastern Cape a target of 160 to win (Required Run Rate of 8 runs an over) #SECvPR
— Gqeberha (@MyPE) February 4, 2024
Fewest balls faced to get Man of the match
SRH vs RR Glen phillips 25 off 7 balls
SEC vs PR Patrick Kruger 26* off 7 balls.#SA20
— Harishwar Reddy (@ReddyMnc16) February 4, 2024
Patrick Kruger’s journey from substitute to star for Sunrisers eastern cape in SA20 2024! pic.twitter.com/5cBudYqBmo
— SunRisers OrangeArmy Official (@srhfansofficial) February 4, 2024
Patrick Kruger finishes off in style with a six for Sunrisers Eastern Cape against Paarl Royals💥
📸: Jio Cinema pic.twitter.com/JSMBDGQSmF
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 4, 2024
In the saturated world of franchise leagues, SA20 is comfortably the most fun.
Unreal atmosphere and finish in Gqeberha, and a special cameo from Patrick Kruger.
St George’s Park delivers every time.#SA20
— Daniel (@DanSenior97) February 4, 2024
What a game! Patrick Kruger 🙌
SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE – TOP OF THE TABLE at the end of league stage 🔥🔥🔥. The Orange flag is rising high in South Africa. We are the Defending champions of @SA20_League, let’s lift the trophy once again. Go @SunrisersEC 🧡🖤 #OrangeArmy #SA20 pic.twitter.com/eR7bu2TeYX
— SkyWalkerWgl✨ (@skywalkerwgl) February 4, 2024
@SunrisersEC won by 5 Wickets. Superb Knock @AidzMarkram 37(27). What a Knock Patrick Kruger 26*(7). SEC at the top of Points Table with 33 Points. 4 Wins in a Row for SunrisersEC.
Enjoyed it 🎺🎺🎺 🎷 this Season. See you again next year @StGeorgesBB. #SA20 #SECvPR
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 4, 2024
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