SA20 2025: Sunrisers Eastern Cape Analysis - Predicted XI, Strengths And Weaknesses, Tournament Prediction

Sunrisers Eastern Cape SWOT [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com]

The stage is set as the much-anticipated SA20 2025 is set to commence from January 9. The tournament will run till February 8 as 6 teams will fight it out for the coveted trophy. Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) are the defending champions and will look to defend their crown once again.

Interestingly, the Eastern Cape also won the inaugural season of the SA20, and will try for a hat-trick of tournament wins as they embark on a new journey with a strong squad. Led by a supremely good leader in Aiden Markram, the side boasts some wonderful players and will be the team to beat once again as the tournament commences on 9th.

Ahead of the season, we look at their strengths and weaknesses and how they will fare in the competition.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape squad for SA20 2025

Batters: Zak Crawley, Aiden Markram (c), Jordan Hermann, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Daniel Smith.

All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Liam Dawson, Tom Abell, Patrick Kruger, Craig Overton

Bowlers: Okhule Cele, Simon Harmer, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson, Caleb Seleka, Andile Simelane, Beyers Swanepoel, Roelof van der Merwe'

Strengths Of Sunrisers Eastern Cape for SA20 2025

Explosive batting lineup

With the likes of Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham in the side, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have an explosive batting lineup. Add Zak Crawley in the mix and the team has one of the most well-rounded batting unit.

Also, Marco Jansen can be a destructive batter at number 6 or 7 and it makes their batting lineup really deep.

The leadership of Aiden Markram

He maye not have shone in the Indian Premier League with his leadership skills, but Markram is a fine captain in the SA20 competition. He has led them to back-to-back titles and has formed a strong squad capable of challenging for the title.

He is an inspirational leader and has a calming presence which has benefited the team in the last two seasons, and once again will hold the key in the upcoming competition.

Weaknesses of Sunrisers Eastern Cape for SA20 2025

Team lacks quality pace attack

Apart from Richard Gleeson, the team lacks quality pace bowlers in the team. They do have Ottneil Baartman in the side, but he lacks the pace to trouble the opposition batters. The rest of the pace attack is undercooked and the opposition teams will be looking to exploit it when they take on the defending champions.

No quality young spinner in the side

Simon Harmer (35), Roelof van der Merwe (40) are the two main spinners of the Eastern Cape for the upcoming season. The defending champions lacks a younger option and are dependent on two players who are at the twilight of their careers.

The quality in the spin attack, just like their pace attack could be exposed once the tournament commences.

Prediction for Sunrisers Eastern Cape for SA20 2025

The team has a well-balanced batting lineup and also has quality all-rounders, however, this time around, they lack the cutting-edge in the bowling department and thus, the dream for a three-peat could be over.

However, the leadership of Markram and the explosive batting by Tristan Stubbs should drag them to the knockout stages of the competition.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape strongest XI for SA20 2025

Zak Crawley ✈️
Aiden Markram (c)
Tristan Stubbs
David Bedingham
Jordan Hermann
Tom Abell ✈️
Marco Jansen
Richard Gleeson ✈️
Ottneil Baartman
Roelof van der Merwe ✈️
Andile Simelane

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