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Markram's all-round show helps Sunrisers overcome MI Cape Town


image-lcz6rnosGeorge Linde scored unbeaten 63 off 28 (Source Twitter) 

Aiden Markram all-round show proved to be the difference as Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered their first win of the tournament, beating the table toppers MI Cape Town in Match 9 of the ongoing SA20 2023.

Sensational Linde powered MI Cape Town to a formidable total 

After electing to bowl first, Sunrisers Eastern Cape got off to a great start as they managed to keep MI Cape Town’s top order quiet, restricting them to 36 in the powerplay, including the wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Grant Roelofsen. Just like in the previous games, captain Markram introduced himself after the powerplay and removed the dangerous Dewald Brevis, who was trying to change gears after a struggling start.

Sam Curran continued his quiet tournament with the bat as the English international edged through to the keeper off the bowling of Markram in the 10th over. The visitors were four down with just 52 on the board in the first half of their innings and needed a partnership badly. Then came George Linde at six, who joined Rassie van der Dussen in the middle and started to rebuild the innings. The duo added a quick 59 runs in the next 33 balls.

Even though van der Dussen lost his wicket just before the slog overs began, Linde continued the onslaught and remained unbeaten with 63 off 28. The conditions were tough to bat and the kind of innings Linde played, that surely brought Cape Town back in the game. 

Sisanda Magala was easily the peak of bowlers for the Sunrisers. The pace ace bowled a couple of brilliant overs, both during the powerplay and death. Markram also grabbed a couple and gave just eight runs in his two overs.

Odean Smith's 3-fer in vein as Sunrisers held their nerve

image-lcz6vpkvOdean Smith (Source Twitter)

Chasing 159, Sunrisers Eastern Cape had a shaky start, losing two wickets early but managed to end the powerplay on a positive note. Adam Rossington, who was playing his first game of the tournament, got out in the very first ball of the innings. Aiden Markram, batting at four, joined Sarel Erwee and extracted a couple of big overs and helped Sunrisers reach 49 for two at the end of the powerplay. The duo went on to add 92 runs for the third wicket.

Just when the Sunrisers seemed to be in control of the chase, the visitors picked up three quick wickets and out of nowhere the men in orange were five down with still 46 to win. Odean Smith and Kagiso Rabada were giving their everything to keep the required rate high,.

But Tristan Stubbs changed his gears at the end and left his side with a rather comfortable task of getting 5 off 5. James Fuller hit two consecutive boundaries and finished the chase with four three balls to spare.

Odean Smith continues to grow as he provided two big breakthroughs in the middle, including the wicket of in form Markram and brought MI Cape Town back in the game. He was the peak of the bowlers with three for 23.

Brief Scores

MI Cape Town: 158/8 (20 Overs)

George Linde 63* (28), Rassie van der Dussen 29 (22);
Sisanda Magala 2/22, Ottniel Baartman 3/45

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: 162/6 (19.3 Overs)

Aiden Markram 50 (35), Sarel Erwee 41 (35);
Odean Smith 3/23, Kagiso Rabada 2/37

SEC win by four wickets


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