Cape Town: Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated Durban Super Giants by 89 runs in the final to clinch their second consecutive SA20 title at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Opting to bat, the table toppers lost David Malan(6) early. But, right-hand batter Tom Abell (55 off 34 balls) and Jordan Hermann (55) stitched a 90-run partnership, taking their side past the 100-run mark after 10 overs. Durban's skipper Keshav Maharaj broke the partnership and sent both the set batters back to the pavilion in the span of just three balls, giving his side a chance to make a comeback in the game. However, the unbeaten stand of 98 runs by captain Aiden Markram (42*) and Tristan Stubbs (56*) powered Sunrisers to post 204-3 in a crucial final.
The Super Giants struggled from the outset and never seemed in control of the run-chase. They immediately found themselves in deep trouble, losing three of their in-form players including wicket-keeper batter Quinton De Kock (3 off 7 balls), Jon Jon Smuts (1 off 2 balls) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0 off 3 balls) for a mere seven runs. However, opener Matthew Breetzke (18 off 27 balls) and Wiaan Mulder (38 off 22 balls) forged a 56-run partnership, raising a ray hope of a comeback.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Simon Harmer provided a much-needed breakthrough for the defending champions. Mulder, who looked dangerous, hit a powerful shot towards long-on, but Marco Jansen made the full use of his height with a timely jump and pulled out a stunner. Super Giants again lost three wickets inside six runs and were slipped to 69 for six, with Marco Jansen's left-arm pace proving devastating.