MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape: SEC Won By 7 Wickets

MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Sunrisers Eastern Cape displayed their championship pedigree by beating the defending champions MI Cape Town in a one-sided MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape SA20 clash at St George’s Park, Gqeberha.

Though qualified with thin hopes coming into this contest, MI Cape Town were outperformed in all departments by the table-toppers, extending their supremacy to become the most successful franchise in SA20 history.

Chris Green’s Dream Debut Turns the Game

Chris Green, who had represented Sydney Thunder just a few days prior, made a remarkable start for SEC as the off-spinner snatched a match-winning spell of 3 for 29, significantly ruining MI Cape Town’s start as the team was put in to bat first.

SEC captain Tristan Stubbs displayed exemplary tactical acumen by bringing in Green during the PowerPlay. The result was immediate delight as Green caught the tournament’s top run-scorer, Ryan Rickelton, lbw in the fourth over.

Middle-Overs Squeeze Keeps MI CT in Check

Green came back in the 10th over to disrupt an emerging partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, delivering a sharply turning ball that rattled the stumps.

The spin stranglehold continued as James Coles, the left-arm spinner, outwitted the captain of MI Cape Town Nicholas Pooran and got him for two runs only.

Hendricks Fights Alone for MI Cape Town

Despite the wickets flowing freely, Reeza Hendricks showed application to the end, supporting his side with an undefeated 70 off just 44 deliveries. Towards the end, George Linde’s short but explosive innings of 30 from 17 deliveries containing three successive sixes off Green did give MI Cape Town some hope. Linde’s fall while attempting the fourth six to cap off MI CT’s innings saw them end at a modest 148/6.

De Kock and Breetzke Takes the Chase

MI Cape Town had some hopes of a better opening to the second innings, but these were quickly dashed by Quinton de Kock and Matthew Breetzke, who added 109 runs for the opening wicket.

Kagiso Rabada was able to remove Jonny Bairstow quickly, but de Kock and Breetzke showed composure and made effective use of loose balls.

Late Wickets, Same Result

MI Cape Town tried to mount a last-over attack. Corbin Bosch removed de Kock, but Rabada tried to keep things exciting with 17 required off 12 balls. But Hermann and Breetzke ended the game in style to keep things from getting too exciting. Even the last wicket of Breetzke rnbd to have an effect, as Sunrisers East Cape reached with ease.