SUNRISERS SMASH SUPER KINGS

Sunrisers Eastern Cape have stormed their way into the SA20 Season 4 playoffs in emphatic fashion, thumping the Joburg Super Kings by 61 runs at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Wednesday.

The victory means the Sunrisers have become the first side officially to seal a spot in the post-season.

After a narrow loss to Durban’s Super Giants on Sunday, the two-time SA20 champions knew they had to respond and they did just that.

Electing to bat first, the Sunrisers put up a competitive 178/5 on the board, with half-centuries from Quinton de Kock (54) and young English all-rounder James Coles (61 off 34 balls) anchoring the innings.

Coles, making a memorable SA20 impact, punctuated his debut with aggressive stroke play that included ten fours before later returning with the ball to chip in with 2/34.

The Super Kings’ reply was never really on track. Bowled out for 117 in 18.1 overs, they couldn’t build significant partnerships or keep up with the required run rate.

Spinner Senuran Muthusamy was a major threat, ripping through the middle order with figures of 3/26, while pace duo Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen also played key roles in restricting the visitors.

Sunrisers now top the standings on 24 points and look poised to finish strongly in the league phase. They’ll next face MI Cape Town in a double-header set of clashes that not only offer revenge for last season’s final defeat but also a chance to sharpen their form ahead of the knockouts.

Image credit: The Citizen