The Sunrisers Eastern Cape has been crowned the inaugural Betway SA20 champions.
The Gqeberha-based team cruised to a comfortable four-wicket victory over the Pretoria Capitals at a sold out Wanderers on Sunday.
The final was moved to the reserve day after a waterlogged field and inclement weather forced it to be postponed.
The party has just started ??pic.twitter.com/nSZYFbu5Pu
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) February 12, 2023
But that did nothing to dim the excitement with the Bullring creating a fabulous atmosphere. And the Sunrisers Eastern Cape did not disappoint by delivering a brilliant bowling performance to by bowling the Capitals out for just 135.
It was led by the ever-green Roelof van der Merwe. The 38-year-old delivered an excellent spell with the left-arm spinner picking up 4/31. Van der Merwe 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 departing in the second over to Ethan Bosch.
Aiden Markram’s team, however, were soon back on track with Adam Rossington counter-attacking through a 30-ball 57. 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 Gqeberha.
Full list of Betway SA Award Winners:
Betway SA20 champions: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Runners-up: Pretoria Capitals
Spirit of the Season: Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Rising Star: Eathan Bosch (Pretoria Capitals)
Batter of the Season: Jos Buttler (Paarl Royals)
Bowler of the Season: Roelof van der Merwe (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
Player of the Season: Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
The Eastern
Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe, has in the meantime congratulated the Sunrisers Eastern Cape on winning.
The 20
over format tournament has seen spectators pack cricket stadiums full – while
keeping viewers glued to their screens as a result of the high-quality
performance displayed in the tournament.
Kontsiwe said the win was good for the
province.
“We
are proud of this achievement. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape has shown that the
province is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to cricket. The team has
managed to unite the province to rally behind them and they didn’t fail us. We
hope the win inspires hope to aspiring cricketers in all corners of the
province. Congratulations to the team and all who contributed to their
success,” said Kontsiwe.
