![SA20](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/mazaplay/media/media_files/KVr85mgsFRrOxgVdojxd.png)
Durban Super Giants (Source: Twitter)
The 5th game of the SA20 saw the defending champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SUNE) take on the Durban Super Giants (DSG) at St George’s Park in Gqueberha on January 13. The match saw DSG scoring a brilliant victory over the host SUNE by 35 runs. This is the second consecutive victory for DSG. After this victory, the Durban-based franchise has climbed to first place in the points table.
Speaking about the match, the skipper Keshav Maharaj of DSG won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision of batting first was proven right by the DSG batters as they posted a humongous 225/3 in their allocated 20 overs. Both the openers of DSG started well as they scored 59 runs in their batting powerplay of six overs. After the openers departed it was JJ Smuts and Nicolas Pooran's show at the iconic Gqueberha stadium.
The duo combined to stitch a brilliant partnership of 100 runs in just 50 deliveries. The wrecker-in-chief for the DSG was Smuts who blasted a brilliant 75 runs in just 38 balls. Throughout his innings, he scored four boundaries and seven maximums. In addition to it, his partner in crime in that partnership was Nicolas Pooran who scored a breathtaking 60 runs off just 31 deliveries. The legendary West Indian batter scored five boundaries as well as four maximums in the process. Meanwhile, Heinrich Klaasen also provided a perfect finishing touch to the innings as he scored 13 runs from six deliveries including one maximum and one boundary.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape succumbed under scoreboard pressure
In pursuit of the mega score, the SUNE batting started did not have the start that they would have wished for. The team lost opener Adam Rossington (9) in the second over of the innings. After that the other opener, Jordan Hermann (3) too departed leaving the defending champions in the spot of bother. But then skipper Aiden Markram (29) along with Tom Abell (65) tried steadying the ship for the defending champions.
But once Markram was dismissed Abell too followed the hut. It was only Tristan Stubbs who showed a little bit of fighting in the end as he scored 55 runs off just 26 balls. Apart from that no one got going for SUNE.
Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this loss from SUNE:
MI Cape Town ✅
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 13, 2024
Sunrisers EC ✅
The Durban's Super Giants make it two from two, kicking off their #Betway #SA20 campaign in stellar fashion 🏏#WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/YbNye77JL0
Congratulations 🎉🥳👏
— Cricket Insider (@theDcricket2O) January 13, 2024
Durban Super Giants ✅ win pass ✅
3/4 wins today#SA20 #CricketInsider pic.twitter.com/yeZQSqMFZ5
Powerful batting display by DSG
— Shubham Shrivastav (@shubhshr28) January 13, 2024
Good
— Azeem Zaidi (@AzeemZaidi143) January 13, 2024
What a match 😍🏏
— معاز (@maaz_oye) January 13, 2024
Epic game
— Azeem Zaidi (@AzeemZaidi143) January 13, 2024
Well played
— Sameer Qayyum Pure Cricket Lover (@sameerqayyum681) January 13, 2024
Wins the title with SEC, joins DSG, comes out in his first game, and smashes 75 (38) against SEC.
— Durban's Super Giants (@DurbansSG) January 13, 2024
What a baller 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eHjlbb0Ogz