SA20 2024, MICT vs SEC | Hermann, Baartman Star As Sunrisers Seal Last-ball Thriller
Jordan Hermann scored unbeaten 106. [PC: X]
Brief Score: Sunrisers Eastern Cape - 202/2 (20 Overs), Jordan Hermann 106* (62), Dawid Malan 53 (37); Kieron Pollard 2/22 (3) beat MI Cape Town - 198/5 (20 Overs), Ryan Rickelton 58 (33), Rassie van der Dussen 41 (33), Ottniel Baartman 3/35 (4), Liam Dawson 1/33 (4) by 4 runs.
Riding on the back of a tremendous century from Jordan Hermann and Ottniel Baartman's one man show with the ball, Sunrisers Eastern Cape won against MI Cape Town in Match 8th of the ongoing SA20 2024. The Sunrisers got off the mark as they secured their first win of the tournament, meanwhile MICT lost their second game in three outings.
Jordan Hermann Shines With An Unbeaten Ton
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Sunrisers Eastern Cape posted a highly competitive 202-run total in their 20 overs, thanks to an incredible unbeaten century from young Jordan Hermann.
The 22-year-old alongside his fellow opening partner Dawid Malan got Sunrisers off to a flying start. The duo looked clinical from the very first ball as they went on to stitch a mammoth 138-run opening partnership.
Hermann did the major damage, with Malan playing the perfect second fiddle with a well composed half-century, before miscuing one straight to Kieron Pollard, who managed to get the much needed breakthrough in the very first delivery of his spell.
The veteran all-rounder went on to remove Aiden Markram, but Hermann continued the onslaught from the other end and eventually reached his century in 59 balls to become the first uncapped player to hit a ton in SA20.
Pollard tried six bowlers but it was him who came out as the best bowler for MI Cape Town with two crucial wickets in the middle and just 22 runs in 3 overs. Kagiso Rabada also had an economical outing but went wicketless throughout his four overs.
Baartman heroics with the ball restricted MI Cape Town
Chasing 203, MI Cape Town openers came out all guns blazing. After the record-breaking 200-run opening stand in the last game against JSK, Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton were very much in mood to repeat the same from the very first over.
Rickelton, who is in the form of his life, did the major damage once again with a quick half century in just 26 deliveries. The hosts were pretty much cruising towards the target, hitting every SEC bowler around the Newlands, but the introduction of Ottniel Baartman pulled things back for Markram and co.
The right-arm quick managed to get the all important wicket of Rickelton, and went on to send back Dewald Brevis and Liam Livingstone cheaply inside his first two overs. Liam Dawson accompanied with the wicket of van der Dussen as well and Sunrisers were back into the contest with four quick wickets.
Skipper Pollard and Sam Curran had to join hands and ensure MICT remain in the chase. The pair added a crucial 53 runs for the fifth wicket, before Pollard got out at the start of the penultimate over.
The equation came down to 15 needed in the last over, and 5 from 1 at the end, Ottniel Baartman held his nerves and pulled an incredible last-over win for the defending champions. MI Cape Town fell four short of the target as Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered their first win of the season.
 "Kaushik Kashyap")
