In a heart-stopping encounter at St George's Park, Durban's Super Giants (DSG) snatched a dramatic two-wicket victory from the jaws of Sunrisers Eastern Cape, injecting fresh life into their SA20 playoff campaign and intensifying the competition at the top of the league table.
A Blistering Start and a Sudden Collapse
Chasing a target of 159, the Super Giants exploded out of the blocks. Aiden Markram, playing at his former home ground, launched a fierce assault, scoring 25 runs from just 13 balls, including six boundaries, before a spectacular catch by Marco Jansen ended his stay. Marques Ackerman then took charge, playing a fluent knock of 45 from 26 deliveries to keep the momentum firmly with the visitors. At 80 for 2, DSG appeared to be cruising towards the target.
However, the Sunrisers' bowlers staged a remarkable fightback. The left-arm spin of Senuran Muthusamy (2-20) combined with the pace of Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen to trigger a dramatic batting collapse. A cluster of wickets saw big names like Sunil Narine, Heinrich Klaasen, Jos Buttler, David Bedingham, and Liam Livingstone fall in quick succession as they tried to force the pace. From a position of strength, DSG stumbled to 137 for 7, throwing the match wide open.
Final-Over Heroics Seal the Deal
With the game hanging in the balance, Gerald Coetzee played a vital cameo of 13 runs from six balls, smashing a boundary and a crucial six to keep his team in the hunt before being dismissed in the penultimate over. The tense finale came down to the last over, with all-rounder Evan Jones holding his nerve under immense pressure. With three balls remaining, he drilled Anrich Nortje to the boundary to secure the win, finishing at 162 for 8 in 19.3 overs.
Bowlers Set Up the Victory
Earlier, DSG's bowlers had laid the foundation for this vital win by restricting the Sunrisers' batting lineup. Sunil Narine was exceptional with the new ball, giving away only 24 runs in his four overs and even bowling a maiden over during the Powerplay, stifling the hosts' early momentum. For Sunrisers Eastern Cape, it was captain Tristan Stubbs who provided stability with an unbeaten 47, while Lewis Gregory's late surge helped them post a competitive 158 for 5 after they plundered 53 runs from the final three overs.
This result is a significant boost for Durban's Super Giants, keeping their hopes alive for SA20 Season 4. The race for the playoff spots has now become even tighter following this electrifying contest.
Brief Scores: Sunrisers Eastern Cape: 159/5 in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 47*, Jordan Hermann 29; Noor Ahmad 1/20). Durban's Super Giants: 162/8 in 19.3 overs (Marques Ackerman 45, Aiden Markram 25; Senuran Muthusamy 2-20).
