Sunrisers Eastern Cape reached their fourth straight SA20 final by beating Paarl Royals by seven wickets. Englishman James Coles starred with an all-round display, helping chase down 115 with 50 balls left. They now face Pretoria Capitals.
The two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape made it to their fourth successive SA20 final, beating Paarl Royals by seven wickets at Newlands on Sunday. The two-time champions comfortably chased down the Royals' 114/7 with seven wickets and 50 balls to spare, as per a press release from SA20.
Now, they will be facing Pretoria Capitals in the final.
Coles' All-Round Brilliance Secures Win
Young Englishman James Coles led the way with another superb all-round performance. Coles snared 1/15 from his four overs of off spin before breaking the back of the run chase with an undefeated 45 off just 19 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes.
On a surface where few batters could counter the prodigious turn and bounce on offer, Coles targeted Dan Lawrence's first over by smashing 21 runs to bite a chunk out of the target.
Coles shared an unbroken 65-run partnership with Matthew Breetzke (19 not out) to seal the Royals' fate after Quinton de Kock had blitzed a rapid 25 of only 12 balls upfront.
Spinners Strangle Royals' Batting
The 21-year-old had earlier combined perfectly with Senuran Muthusamy (3/15) to set up the game for Sunrisers. The spin twins claimed four wickets for 30 runs from their allotted eight overs to restrict the Royals.
Royals Struggle on Turning Track
It was a struggle from the outset for the Royals after stand-in captain Dan Lawrence won the toss and elected to bat. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (3) could not build on his form from the Eliminator and fell early when he chipped seamer Lutho Sipamla to Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Tristan Stubbs at mid-off.
From thereon, it was a battle for survival with Kyle Verreynne laying down anchor as the wickets continued to fall regularly at the other end. Verreynne carried his bat for a workmanlike 52 not out off 46 balls (with five fours and a six), but had precious little support from the remaining Royals batter as Sunrisers' spinners put the squeeze on.
Royals' West Indian import Rovman Powell, who only arrived in South Africa a couple of days ago, could not make an impact as he lasted just two balls before Muthusamy found his outside edge.
Sunrisers Set Up Final Clash with Capitals
Sunrisers' seven-wicket win has set up a repeat of the inaugural SA20 Final back in 2023. Adrian Birrell's team will be seeking to reclaim the trophy they surrendered to MI Cape Town last season in a bid for an unprecedented third title, while the Capitals will be aiming to win the trophy for the first time. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)