SA20 2024 | SUNE vs JSK, Match 1 - Top captain and Vice-captain Picks

image-lr6bjfkxAiden Markram will be an important player for the Easter Cape in the match (Source: x.com)

The cricket carnival in South Africa heads to the inauguration of its second season in the form of SA20 League. The first match will be played between Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SUNE) and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in St. George's Park, Gqeberha. The game is slated to begin at 9:00 PM IST.

The Eastern Cape are the defending champions after they sealed the final stage by defeating the Pretoria Capitals. Although Temba Bavuma is injured and Sisanda Magala has been ruled out, they have a strong core that can offer good competition to the opposition teams.

Meanwhile, the Super Kings will be led by Faf du Plessis as usual and they finished in the playoffs last season after being drubbed by the inaugural champions on the back of a fantastic Aiden Markram ton. With the likes of Moeen Ali, Romario Shepherd, Donavon Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, etc, they look like a formidable unit.

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SUNE vs JSK, Match 1 - Toss Factor

The St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth is a balanced surface that provides early movement to the new ball bowlers. There's a decent turn for the spinners and few of the surfaces here remain on the slower side. The conditions are more favourable at the second half of the game on most occasions.

Scenario: If Joburg Super Kings fields first

Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali have played plenty of games across the globe and they could be a useful factor in this scenario. Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee can be other useful options for the side.

Scenario: If Sunrisers Eastern Cape fields first

The Orange Army has some underrated contributors like Jordan Hermann, Adam Rossington who can be a differentiating factor at times. Not to forget, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen will form the core of the team.


SUNE vs JSK, Match 1 - Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

Scenario: If Joburg Super Kings field first

Aiden Markram (SUNE): South Africa’s white ball captain looked in fantastic touch in the final Test against India where he notched up a stupendous century. He would look to bring the same form into SA20. He is a great player of both pace and spin and should come good with the ball if required.

Nandre Burger (JSK): The burly left-arm pacer looked in scintillating form with the ball against India in the recently concluded two-match Test series. He has decent pace but what makes his lethal is the ability to hit right areas and gain extra bounce with decent lateral movement.


Scenario: If Sunrisers Eastern Cape fields first

Marco Jansen (SUNE): The All-rounder is a much matured cricketer at the moment. He has the consistent knack of picking wickets and can also bat lower down the order. Jansen has also worked on clearing the boundary ropes with ease and it was evident in the past one year.

Reeza Hendricks (JSK): The South African top order batter has various types of shots and an elegant touch. The right-handed batter also missed a ton by mere margin the last time when these two sides met. He is a very stable batter and can play the grafter's role and steadily accelerate if there's pressure.


SUNE vs JSK, Match 1 - Big Risk, Big Return Choices

Moeen Ali (JSK): The English All-rounder has been in off-form lately but given his potential, Ali can smash the bowlers and pick up many wickets on his will. He is likely to bat in the middle order and if he gets going, the opposition bowlers could have a bad day.

Roelof van der Merwe: The Netherlands bowler is ageing like a fine wine. He was one of the primary reasons behind Eastern Cape’s title last edition. Roelof can also score quick runs lower down the order if needed.