SWOT Analysis- Sunrisers Eastern Cape

image-lcosp6z1Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Source: Twitter)

The Sunrisers have been one of the successful franchises of the Indian Premier League. They have lifted the trophy once and has been in the final two times. It is now upon the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to replicate the success in the SA20. 

Do the Eastern Cape have the firepower to be in contention for the championship run in the inaugural edition of the SA20?

In order to get a proper answer to the question let us take a deep look at squad of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. 

Batters: Aiden Markram (Top order batter), Adam Rossington (Wicketkeeper batter), Jordan Cox (Middle order batter and Wicketkeeper), Jordan Hermann (Middle order batter),  Marques Ackerman (Middle order batter), Sarel Erwee (Opener), Tristan Stubbs (Middle Order power hitter)

All-rounders: Aya Gqamane (Medium pace bowler and Lower order batter),  James Fuller (Lower middle order batter and Medium pace bowler), Jon-Jon Smuts (Middle order batter and Spin bowler), Tom Abell (Power hitter and Medium pace bowler).

Pacers: Brydon Carse (Pace Bowler), Marco Jansen (Medium pace bowler), Ottniel Baartman (Medium fast bowler), Sisanda Magala (Medium pace bowler)

Spinners:  Junaid Dawood (Leg-break bowler), Mason Crane (Leg-break bowler), Roelof Van Der Merwe (Left arm orthodox)


Strength

1.Solid Top Order: The top-order of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape looks very solid. The presence of Aiden Markram, Sarel Erwee and Jon-Jon Smuts guarantees solid starts to the team in most of the matches. 

image-lcosrgtvAiden Markram (Source: Twitter)

2. Variety in the pace department: The presence of Brydon Carse, Marco Jansen and Sisanda Magala provides the team with lot of flexibility and dynamism in the pace department. 

Weakness

1.Absence of enforcers in the top order: The players who will be batting at the top for the team like Aiden Markram, Sarel Erwee and Jon-Jon Smuts are not known for power hitting. They are rather grafters than enforcers and hence the team will have to depend more on players like Tristan Stubbs to in the middle to increase their scoring rate.

X-Factor

Tristan Stubbs: The presence of Tristan Stubbs will be a big boost to the team. He has the ability to accelerate from the very beginning of his innings. So, the presence of Stubbs is a big x-factor to the squad. 

image-lcosstbwTristan Stubbs (Source: Twitter)


Sunrisers Eastern Cape Probable Playing XI

  1. Aiden Markram (c)
  2. Sarel Erwee
  3. Jon-jon Smuts
  4. Adam Rossington ✈️ (wk)
  5. Tristan Stubbs
  6. Tom Abell  ✈️
  7.  Aya Gqamane
  8. Marco Jansen
  9. Brydon Carse ✈️
  10. Sisanda Magala
  11. Mason Crane ✈️

Also Read: SA20 2023: All you need to know