Marco Jansen. Pic Credits: X

SA20 2025 : Marco Jansen Helps Sunrisers Eastern Cape Clinch 6-Wicket Victory Over Durban’s Super Giants

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Last season’s leading wicket-taker Marco Jansen (2/23) had led the comeback by delivering a special new-ball performance. Marco Jansen knocked over Durban’s Super Giants opener Brandon King with the second ball of the innings which sent a near-capacity St George’s Park crowd into raptures. The Orange Army were in now full voice and aided by the iconic brass band, they once again created a memorable SA20 experience in Gqeberha.

Marco Jansen’s brilliant display with the new ball has given the Sunrisers Eastern Cape the win needed to secure a position in the playoffs. Sunrisers Eastern Cape secured a playoff spot in the SA20 series following a triumphant win over Durban’s Super Giants. Stellar performances from Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram led the defending champions back into competitive form, delighting the energetic St George’s Park crowd with a memorable match.

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape secured their position in the playoff spots with a second consecutive bonus point win against Durban’s Super Giants at St George’s Park on Sunday. Following a string of three losses, the defending champions have regained their winning form that previously led them to consecutive SA20 titles in the past two seasons.

Pitch Report and Toss

Pitch Report : The square boundaries are 60m and 64m, the straight end is 74m. The surface looks dry, there are a few cracks, but they have left a bit of grass which has been cut at 3mm, which is a bit longer when compared to the last match. It’s still good enough for batting, there could be swing with the blustery wind in place, reckons Mike Haysman, in his pitch report.

Toss : Durban Super Giants skipper Keshav Maharaj won the toss and  opted to bat with three changes in the playing XI. Sunrisers Eastern Cape skipper Aiden Markram bowling first made no changes in the playing XI.

Marco Jansen’s leads charge in the bowling as SEC restricts DSG to 115 for 8 in 20 overs.

On a pitch that had a bit of grass, Super Giants opted to bat first and that decision backfired quite spectacularly. There was movement and extra bounce on offer and the Sunrisers took full toll of it. Only 18 runs came in the powerplay and in this period, they lost Brandon King, Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock and JJ Smuts. Marco Jansen and Richard Gleeson shared the spoils at that point with only Kane Williamson looking solid out in the middle,

Marco Jansen (2/23), who topped the wicket-taking charts last season, spearheaded the recovery with an exceptional opening spell. The match’s second delivery saw Marco Jansen dismiss Durban’s Super Giants opener Brandon King, igniting celebrations among the packed St George’s Park audience.

Durban's Super Giants Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Durban’s Super Giants Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

Wiaan Mulder tried to hang in there before departing for a 18-ball 7 and Heinrich Klaasen’s delayed entry didn’t work either as he was back in the pavilion after facing just ten deliveries. At 61/7 in the 15th over, Super Giants had nowhere to go before Williamson finally opened up against  Marco Jansen to fetch a couple of crucial boundaries. While he made 44, it was his dismissal that actually helped Super Giants finish on a high as Naveen smashed four boundaries and a six in the final two overs to drag his side past 100.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Sunrisers Eastern Cape Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

Gleeson now leads the tournament’s wicket-taking list with eight dismissals at 14.25 runs per wicket. Kane Williamson (44 off 45 balls) anchored the Super Giants innings, with minimal support until Naveen-ul-Haq’s late surge of 30 not out from 15 deliveries.

The hosts delivered an impressive performance with Marco Jansen receiving excellent support from Richard Gleeson (2/19), Ottniel Baartman (2/30), and Liam Dawson (2/11), limiting the opposition to 115/8.

Skipper Aiden Markram and David Bedingham completes 6 wicket bonus point win for SEC over DSG

Naveen then followed it up with a wicket in the first over when he had Zak Crawley but any hopes of a fightback were squashed by David Bedingham, who first got going with a hat-trick of boundaries against Mulder. Naveen was then picked apart for a six and a four as Bedingham raced to 32 off just 13. While Keshav Maharaj and Noor Ahmed then struck in successive overs, Super Giants had very little runs to play with.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Sunrisers Eastern Cape Batting Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

Jordan Hermann picked Noor apart for a couple of boundaries to eat into the target while Aiden Markram went on a brutal assault against Smuts before putting Super Giants out of their misery in the 16th over that gave the champions a bonus point.

Durban's Super Giants Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
Durban’s Super Giants Bowling Line Up. Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo

The Sunrisers’ chase featured David Bendingham’s quick 39, followed by Jordan Hermann’s useful 23 runs. Captain Aiden Markram sealed the victory with an unbeaten 31 from 20 balls, concluding the match with a powerful six over square leg that delighted the home supporters.

Presentations and Road Ahead

Keshav Maharaj the loosing DSG skipper said : We didn’t expect the wicket to have extra bounce and movement. Maybe we could reassessed better. With the ball doing so much we thought of holding him back. Probably not getting the starts we want both with bat and ball. It’s just about staying calm. We have seen Sunrisers do it for two season, come from behind. It’s a five-match series for us now. Hopefully we can turn it around.

Aiden Markram the winning SEC skipper said : Said it at the toss as well that it (atmosphere from the home fans) was really pumping. Initially you don’t pay too much attention to it.

We wanted a good powerplay and fortunately the good start allowed to get the bonus point, didn’t have to search for it too much. To be honest didn’t expect the wicket to play this way. Had more bounce than we expected. We bowled hard length really well and got the rewards.

Marco Jansen Player of the Match for his stellar bowling performance said : I think I’m just landing it on a string and it’s going both ways, so I am happy at the moment. It’s not easy to bowl in the powerplay. You either take wickets or go for runs.

My consistency of hitting an area and making the guys play has improved. I don’t think he (Stubbs) is ok with that (him batting above Stubbs). He is standing there and smiling. Some times you get a feeling of trying things out and it paid off today.

This is a proper drubbing for DSG. They won the toss and batted but batted meekly. If 18/4 in the powerplay wasn’t enough, it came down to 61/7. If not for Kane Williamson and Naveen at the end, they might not have crossed 100. 115 was obviously well below par even if the pitch had help for the bowlers.

DSG did have a potent spin attack to pose doubts but Bedingham ensured the dressing room need not panic by getting off to a great start in the powerplay. He fell to Maharaj and Noor knocked over Abell but the damage was already done and the Sunrisers even put on a smart face to clinch the bonus point with their captain doing the big hitting at the end. A game to forget for DSG. Sunrisers will celebrate successive wins!

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have catapulted themselves into the playoff positions in the current SA20 season, notching up another bonus point victory over Durban’s Super Giants at St George’s Park on Sunday. This surge follows three consecutive defeats, marking a remarkable turnaround for the defending champions as they regain the formidable form that brought them back-to-back SA20 titles in recent seasons.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights

 


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