SunRisers Eastern Cape skipper Aiden Markram displayed his athleticism on the field while taking incredible flying catch during SA20 2024 match against Durban Super Giants at Newlands Cricket Ground In Cape Town on Tuesday. February 6.
Durban lost two early wickets in Tony de Zorzi (2) and Matthew Breetzke (3) and they were reduced to 13/2 in 3.1 overs while chasing the target of 158. Quinton de Kock was joined by JJ Smuts in the middle to carry on Super Giants' run-chase. However, Smuts was dismissed early by Ottniel Baartman for a duck at 13/4.
Baartman pitched the ball at short length and JJ Smuts mistimed his shot selection while trying it towards mid-on where Aiden Markram was positioned himself strategically. As soon as the ball approached, Markram quickly moved to the left and jumped in the air to take one-hand catch to dismiss JJ Smutts. Entire crowd at the stadium was in awe by SEC skipper's aerobatics on the field.
After opting to bat first, SunRisers Eastern Cape posted a total of 157/8 in 20 overs on the board. The top-order batter David Malan was the star performer for the side as he played a knock of 63 off 45 balls at a strike rate of 140. Skipper Aiden Markram (30) and Jordan Hermann (21) too chipped in with their willow.
For Durban Super Giants, Keshav Maharaj and Junior Dala picked two wickets each, while Naveen-ul-Haq and Dwaine Pretorius scalped a wicket each.
SunRisers EC defeated Durban SG to qualify for 2nd consecutive SA20 final
The defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape qualified for their second consecutive SA20 final with 51-run win over Durban Super Giants in the Qualifier 1.
After posting a total of 157/8, SEC bowlers bundled out DSG for 106 in 19.3 overs. Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman led the Eastern Cape bowling attack with four wickets each, while Liam Dawson scalped two wickets.
For Durban Super Giants, Wiaan Mulder was top-scored with 38, while Heinrich Klassen and Quinton de Kock scored 23 and 20, respectively. The middle-order including the likes Dwaine Pretorius and Keshav Maharaj failed to step up when the team needed them the most.
Durban Super Giants need to play Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator between Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings on Thursday.
