Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) have made it to their third straight SA20 final after securing two crucial wins in two days. They will now face MI Cape Town on Saturday, hoping to add another trophy to their collection after previous wins against Pretoria Capitals (2023) and Durban's Super Giants (2024).
Having won matches both while batting first and chasing, SEC will enter the final with confidence, especially since their opponents haven’t played for a week.
Regardless of the outcome, SEC have already proven themselves as a top team, showing great depth and resilience throughout the tournament. Their ability to adapt to different match situations has been a key factor in their success.
SEC’s approach varied in their last two games. Against Joburg Super Kings (JSK), their top-order delivered an aggressive start, and against Paarl Royals, their bowling strategy changed as well.
Liam Dawson, who had been a key bowler, wasn’t used much in this match due to tactical reasons, and captain Aiden Markram took on a bigger bowling role. The team’s ability to adjust based on opponents and conditions highlights their flexibility.
One concern for SEC is the fitness of Ottneil Baartman, who left the field with a possible hamstring injury. They will be hoping he recovers in time for the final.
SEC’s top-order struggled in the group stage but stepped up at the right time. David Bedingham and Tony de Zorzi got off to a fast start against JSK, and de Zorzi’s 78 was crucial in their chase against Paarl.
De Zorzi wasn’t initially seen as a T20 player and only joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Patrick Kruger. His early performances were shaky, and even he doubted his abilities.
But advice from teammate Marco Jansen to "keep intent up" helped him find confidence. His innings against Paarl started with some lucky edges but soon turned into a dominant knock, including a massive six off Mitch Owen that put SEC ahead of the DLS target.
The Hermann family had a unique experience during this match. Rubin Hermann played for Paarl Royals and top-scored with 81, while his brother Jordan was part of the winning SEC side.
Their father, Marius, showed his divided loyalty by wearing a custom-made half-and-half shirt supporting both teams. By the end of the match, however, he had fully switched to SEC gear, reflecting Paarl Royals’ exit from the tournament.
Paarl Royals had a strong home run, winning all five matches at their ground, but struggled in different conditions. The loss of Joe Root, who left for national duties, weakened their team balance. Captain David Miller admitted Root’s absence was felt, as he provided experience and an extra spin-bowling option.
Their bowling attack also faced issues. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was among the top wicket-takers early in the tournament, went wicketless in the last three games. Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi, their senior pacer, was underused, playing just five out of 12 matches. Miller acknowledged that Ngidi could have played more but defended the team’s selection choices.
Despite their elimination, the Royals have reasons to be optimistic. Their young opener, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, was the highest run-scorer of the tournament and showed great potential. At just 18 years old, he has a bright future, and Miller praised his talent and temperament.
As SEC head into another final, their determination and smart play make them strong contenders. Their ability to stay competitive in every match, backed by a fearless approach, has made them a tough team to beat. Miller summed it up well, saying SEC have "clever and gutsy cricketers" with a "never-say-die attitude," which is crucial for success in T20 cricket.
With the final against MI Cape Town coming up, SEC will be aiming to make history by winning their second SA20 title in a row.
Updated on 07 February, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.