Double success for highveld outfits Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals

The Joburg Super Kings and the Pretoria Capitals defeated the Durban Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, respectively, on Tuesday, providing SA20 with a double dose of extremely entertaining midweek action.

The visitors defeated the defending champions by 28 runs at Kingsmead thanks to the brilliant combination of Tabraiz Shamsi, Donovan Ferreira, and Imran Tahir, the JSK spin trio. Meanwhile, the Capitals seamers played a significant role in their triumph by six wickets bonus points.

As the Super Giants chased JSK’s 169/4, middle-order batsman Quinton de Kock kept his team afloat with a single hand of 55 (45 balls, 5×4, 2×6).

However, by bowling out the Joburg Super Giants for 141, Shamsi, Ferreira, and Tahir combined for five wickets, leaving the door open on the other end.

The visitors were greatly inspired by Tahir’s brilliant moment in the field as well. From a Wiaan Mulder reverse sweep, the 45-year-old made a spectacular two-handed diving catch at point, displaying the athleticism of a teenager.

The veteran gave JSK the motivation they needed to squeeze the Super Giants middle order after the host team appeared to be comfortably set at 99/4 with Heinrich Klaasen and De Kock at the crease.

With a couple of boundaries and a six off Matheesha Pathirana, Klaasen (29 of 17 balls) was gaining ground. However, the Sri Lankan international put an end to the collapse by having the SA20 Season 2 MVP caught down the leg side with the last ball of the 12th over.

The Super Kings had earlier fought back to a respectable score thanks to Leus du Plooy (38), Jonny Bairstow (26), and Ferreira (26), but the visitors took the lead when Gerald Coetzee hit the last two balls of the innings for six.

The Capitals won the toss in Centurion, and skipper Rilee Rossouw made the decision to bowl without much thought.

Early on, the host team’s fast bowlers gained significant seam movement, proving that it was the right choice on a surface that had been covered for a long time.

The opening blow was delivered by Season 1 Rising Star Eathan Bosch (2/18), Player of the Match, as he took down Sunrisers opener Zak Crawley.

The Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram and David Bedingham were both sent out to the pavilion by consecutive deliveries from Daryn Dupavillion (3/32), who provided Bosch with excellent support and left the reigning champions in ruins at 3 for 4.

Tom Abell and Tristan Stubbs both left within two runs of one another, further putting the visitors in danger.

Despite a heroic 51 off 35 balls from all-rounder Marco Jansen, which enabled the Sunrisers reach 113 all out, their lowest-ever total, there was no way back from 26/5.

Richard Gleeson (2/31) took a few Sunrisers wickets during the Capitals’ opening run-chase, which caused them to falter. However, Marques Ackerman (39 not out) and Liam Livingstone (14 not out) led the home team to victory in the end.

“We got off to a great start with the ball. We had a last encounter with Livingstone, and Marques’ superb knock got us across the finish line. “They played it really well to get us the bonus point, and we wanted to take it as deep as we could on a tricky wicket,” Capitals captain Rilee Rossouw said.

“The bowlers took charge and placed it in the right places, but we were concerned about our lines and lengths after the last game.”