Gqeberha, South Africa: In a thrilling SA20 clash, Durban Super Giants (DSG) defeated table-toppers Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) by 2 wickets in the league’s 21st match, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Sunrisers had set a target of 159 runs after posting 158/5 while batting first, but Durban chased it down in a nail-biting finish, losing two wickets in the final over.
Sunrisers’ Batting Struggle
Sunrisers’ innings got off to a shaky start. Openers Quinton de Kock (13) and Jonny Bairstow (11) failed to make an impact and were dismissed in the powerplay. Matthew Breetzke, batting at number three, scored 20 runs off 22 balls. By the 10th over, Sunrisers were 64/3, and by the 14th over, at 87/5, their innings seemed in trouble.
Captain Tristan Stubbs steadied the ship with Louis Gragory, putting together an unbeaten 71-run partnership off 37 balls. Stubbs played a match-turning knock of 47 runs off 30 balls, while Gragory contributed 25 runs off 17 balls, keeping Sunrisers competitive.
Durban’s Explosive Start and Middle-Order Collapse
Durban’s chase began aggressively with captain Aiden Markram and Marquee Ackerman adding 49 runs for the first wicket in 26 balls. The powerplay ended at 71/1. However, Durban’s middle order struggled to maintain momentum as Ackerman fell for 45 off 26 balls, followed by a series of quick wickets.
Jos Buttler scored 22 off 22 balls, Henrik Claasen 10 off 11, Liam Livingstone 10 off 16, and David Bedingham 14 off 16. Gerald Coetzee ensured the team stayed in contention with 13 off 6 balls.
The match concluded dramatically in the 20th over when Ivan Jones struck a boundary off the third ball to seal a 2-wicket victory for Durban Super Giants, sending shockwaves through the SA20 points table.
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