SA20 2024, SUNE vs PRC | Strategic Corner - Capitals Quest to Maintain Upper Hand Over Sunrisers
Pretoria Capitals will look to win the match against the Eastern Cape (Source: x.com
It looks like we have a rematch from last year's final between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals. Sunrisers are starting to play well again, while Pretoria Capitals aren't performing at their best. This match is the first of two games between them, and the Eastern Cape team wants to win to make their home fans happy. Their two wins so far came when they played away from home. The next match between them is scheduled in a few days at Centurion.
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Pretoria Capitals had a strong performance last season but haven't lived up to that standard in this year's SA20, struggling with poor performances. Although they won both group stage matches against Sunrisers Eastern Cape last season, they faced a setback by losing to them in the final. The head-to-head comparison after the upcoming league stage fixtures will be intriguing to see how these two teams currently stack up against each other.
Team Form Analysis of Sunrisers Eastern Cape & Pretoria Capitals
Currently placed third on the table, Sunrisers Eastern Cape secured two wins in three completed matches. They faced a tough defeat at home against Durban's Super Giants but made a strong comeback with a hard-fought victory against MI Cape Town on the road. Close wins in tense T20 encounters have historically been turning points for successful teams, and Eastern Cape seems to believe in that notion.
They continued their momentum, securing an easy victory against the Super Giants in Durban. With two consecutive wins, they're determined to maintain their momentum and won't be easing up. Sunrisers Eastern Cape is yet to secure a win in their home matches this season, making a victory against Pretoria Capitals at home a special treat for their fans.
The top four batters, Jordan Hermann, Dawid Malan, Tom Abell, and Aiden Markram, have been performing well. Even if one falters, someone else steps up with the bat. Tristan Stubbs has notably made an impact, scoring 55 and 66 in two of their games. However, the lanky all-rounder Marco Jansen's inconsistent form is a concern, but the team is willing to give him time due to the talent and skills he possesses.
Pretoria Capitals had a disappointing start to SA20, facing consecutive losses against Paarl Royals, both at home and away. However, they managed to surprise everyone with an upset victory over Durban's Super Giants at Centurion. Unfortunately, a heavy defeat by Joburg Super Kings halted their winning momentum, leaving them with one win in three matches.
Currently at the bottom of the ladder, they face a challenging task to climb up and compete for a playoff spot, needing a strong turnaround in their campaign. Will Jacks has been outstanding with both bat and ball, standing out as a key performer for his team. Leading in runs and having picked up 5 wickets in 4 outings at an impressive economy rate of 6.30, he's been remarkable.
However, he seems to be fighting a lone battle, given the lack of consistent performances from his teammates. The top order's inconsistency and struggles in form for certain middle-order batsmen have been issues for the Capitals. The Bosch brothers, in particular, are facing challenges in proving their all-round ability, reflecting in the team's struggle to consistently outperform their opposition.
Conclusion
Sunrisers Eastern Cape has shown overall improvement after a slow start to the season, while Pretoria Capitals are grappling with finding the winning formula from last time and keeping up with other teams. Based on the current form, the favour seems to be leaning towards Sunrisers Eastern Cape for this upcoming contest.
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