Aiden Markram-led Sunrisers Eastern Cape's pacers ran riot at St George's Park, Gqeberha as they skittled out Pretoria Capitals for a paltry 52, the lowest score in SA20 League's history. Interestingly, no batter got out for a duck but they were bowled out in just 13.3 overs. After Daniell Worrall and Marco Jansen got rid of the top four, Ottniel Baartman took a four-fer as no Pretoria Capitals batter could hold the fort.
The previous lowest score belonged to the Durban Super Giants. Pretoria Capitals bowled them out for 80 in the inaugural edition of the SA20 league. On the other hand, Pretoria Capitals had never been bowled out for below 100. Their previous lowest total of 103 came against Durban Super Giants last season.
Earlier, Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first. Philip Salt was given a lifeline early as he was dropped by Liam Dawson. In the third over, Worrall got rid of Salt. Then Jansen dismissed Will Jacks. In his third over, Worrall ended Rilee Rossouw's troubled stay at the crease.
Baartman struck with his first ball taking the wicket of Colin Ingram. Worrall in his last over got the wicket of James Neesham as Pretoria Capitals found themselves reduced to 30/5. Baartman got another wicket in the form of Senuran Muthusamy.
Jansen returned to dismiss wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne. Parnell tried to play out the overs but became Baartman's third victim of the day. In the 13th over, Patrick Kruger joined the party by dismissing Adil Rashid. In his last over, Baartman wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Eathan Bosch.
“I think it was a combination of everything, bit more swing than what we have seen so far and the bounce is steep which accentuates everything. As a swing and seam bowler happy when Jacks and Salt were going for it, one swings and it will take the edge,” Worrall said during the innings break.
In the run chase, Sunrisers Eastern Cape lost the wicket of Dawid Malan in the second over but Jordan Hermann (20) and Tom Abell (31) ensured that they chase down the total with 13.1 overs to spare and nine wickets in hand. Sunrisers Eastern Cape also managed to earn a bonus point. It helped them climb to the second spot on the points table. On the other hand, Pretoria Capitals slipped to the bottom of the table.
“Did not wake up expecting a game like that but as a winning side you take that. We did bowl well, one of those nights when everything took the edge and everything went to hand,” Markram said in the post-match presentation.
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