DURBAN – Prenelan Subrayen produced a devastating new-ball spell against his former employers before Rilee Rossouw capitalised on dropped catches to guide Joburg Super Kings to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Durban Super Giants at Kingsmead.
The Super Kings dismantled their hosts for a paltry 86 all out before cruising to their target in just 12.2 overs, securing a bonus point that elevated them to second place on the Betway SA20 standings behind leaders Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Captain Faf du Plessis’ tactical masterstroke of opening with off-spinner Subrayen (3/16) proved inspired as the veteran bowler ripped through Durban’s star-studded batting lineup. The much-vaunted top order crumbled as Devon Conway departed in Subrayen’s opening over, followed swiftly by Kane Williamson and Jos Buttler within the powerplay, leaving the hosts reeling at 21/3.
Du Plessis revealed another tactical ace by replacing wicket-keeper Donovan Ferreira with Matthew de Villiers behind the stumps, before handing Ferreira the ball. The part-time off-spinner made an immediate impact, dismissing the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen caught at short mid-wicket.
The Super Giants’ innings collapsed thereafter, with captain Aiden Markram’s lone resistance of 22 (27) balls proving insufficient. Richard Gleeson completed the demolition with remarkable figures of 3/2, running through the tail as Durban succumbed to their lowest total of the tournament.
The Kingsmead faithful briefly harboured hopes of an unlikely turnaround when JSK lost both openers du Plessis and de Villiers with only 19 runs scored. Those hopes intensified when Wiaan Mulder fell at 24/3, caught in the deep.
However, Durban’s sloppy fielding proved costly at crucial moments. Rossouw benefited from two dropped catches on eight and 16, with Kane Williamson and Evan Jones respectively squandering opportunities that might have changed the match’s complexion.
The left-hander made the most of his charmed existence, unleashing five boundaries and a six in an entertaining knock of 43 that brought JSK to the victory threshold. Ferreira 12*(4) applied the finishing touches with characteristic flair.
Subrayen claimed the Player of the Match award with 55.2% of the fan vote, beating fellow contenders du Plessis, Gleeson, and Rossouw. The victory maintains JSK’s perfect start to their campaign whilst leaving DSG searching for answers after their comprehensive defeat on home soil.
