Sunrisers Eastern Cape were up against the Joburg Super Kings in the 17th match of the SA20 League on Saturday, January 21 at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. Super Kings’ captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to field first. The decision worked in his team’s favour as they bagged 10 wickets in 18.4 overs, conceding just 127 runs.
However, Du Plessis stole the limelight in the first innings of the match when he took an outstanding catch of Sunrisers’ allrounder Roelof van der Merwe. During the 2nd ball of the 19th over, the batter swung across the line but mistimed it towards long-off. Faf, at the edge of the circle, kept his eye on the ball and moved behind to take a top catch.
Watch the video here:
What a superb catch by Faf Du Plessis.
He's 38, but still one of the fittest. pic.twitter.com/xKTiZspCcc
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 21, 2023
Batting first, it was a poor batting performance from the Sunrisers. The hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Adam Rossington played a good hand, but he also departed after scoring 40 runs off 31 deliveries, which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Jon-Jon Smuts was looking good but he threw his wicket away on the score of 22 runs.
Poor batting performance by the Sunrisers Eastern Cape
The other batters didn’t show composure and the hosts got bundled out for a below-par total. Aaron Phangiso was the star for the visitors, as he took another 4-for in this match. Gerald Coetzee also bowled really well as he finished with a 4-for too. All the other bowlers were on the money as well.
Chasing the target of 128 runs, Super Kings also had a bad start as they lost their opener Reeza Hendricks with a score of just 14 runs. However, Super Kings had a good powerplay as they scored 47 runs and brought the asking rate below 6. But later, all three spinners from the Eastern Cape bowled superbly and Super Kings were put under immense pressure.
Eight runs were needed off the final over and Sisanda Magala bowled three yorkers to keep the game on the knife’s edge. However, he overstepped and Leus du Plooy scored a boundary to take his team home with a ball to spare. Phangiso was awarded the Player of the match for his brilliance with the ball.
