Pretoria Capitals stumble over the last hurdle in SA20 tournament
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been crowned the inaugural Betway SA20 champions after they beat the Pretoria Capitals by four wickets in the final on Sunday.
After the local franchise, the Pretoria Capitals, were not given much of a chance by most punters at the start of the international SA20 cricket tournament, Wayne Parnell and his teammates finally finished at the top of the standings and reached Sunday’s final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The final was moved to the reserve day after a waterlogged field and inclement weather forced it to be postponed. But that did nothing to dim the excitement with the Bullring creating a fabulous atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the team from Pretoria stumbled over the last hurdle.
After the Eastern Cape team’s captain, Aiden Markram, won the toss, he sent the Capitals in to bat first.
Markram and his fellow bowlers then went on to bowl out the Capitals in their 20th and final over for just 135.
Photo: SA20/Supplied
The Eastern Cape team’s bowling attack was brilliantly led by the veteran and former Titans star, Roelof van der Merwe. The 38-year-old delivered an excellent spell as a left-arm spinner, picking up 4/31. He was ably supported by Sisanda Magala (2/30) and Ottniel Baartman (2/22).
The Sunrisers’ reply did not get off to the best of starts with Temba Bavuma (2) departing in the second over to Eathan Bosch.
Aiden Markram’s team, however, were soon back on track with Adam Rossington counter-attacking through an innings of 57 off only 30 balls. Rossington tore into the Capitals’ attack and ensured the chase was never going to be tricky.
Anrich Nortje bowled his heart out for the Capitals in a bid to haul his team back into the game, but ultimately his 2/21 was not going to be enough.
Marco Jansen delivered the killer blow for the Sunrisers with his six over long-off, setting off the celebrations all the way from Johannesburg to the Eastern Cape.
After the final, the Pretoria Capitals got a consolation prize, when their young bowler, Eathan Bosch, was named the rising star of the tournament.
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