Majestic Markram powers Sunrisers into SA20 Final

Aiden Markram lifted the Sunrisers Eastern Cape into the main event of SA20 with a victory over Faf du Plessis and the Joburg Super Kings in the second semi-final in Centurion on Thursday. The SEC skipper slammed a magnificent century to power his side to a mammoth total of 213 for 5. Reeza Hendricks’ eye-catching 96 gave Johannesburg a fighting chance in the chase, but the Men in Orange held on at the death to clinch a 14-run victory and book a spot in the final.

Sunrisers’ hopes of making the final suffered an early setback in this encounter as the Men in Orange lost both their openers in the second over. Lizaad Williams bounced out Temba Bavuma for a golden duck and had Adam Rossington edging behind three balls later to leave the Sunrisers in a worrying position early on. However, Jordan Hermann and Aiden Markram rescued the Eastern Cape side after the early setback with a wonderful 99-run stand.

Markram got off the mark with a lofted cover drive and added two more boundaries off Nandre Burger to take the pressure off the Sunrisers. The pair stabilised the innings, taking Eastern Cape to 72 for two at the halfway mark, before switching through the gears to increase the scoring rate.

They went after Romario Shepherd in the 13th over – which brought 18 runs – and Markram took over the scoring reins at the death overs following Hermann’s untimely run-out. Markram thumped Theekshana for six on the leg-side and clubbed a further 21 runs against Shepherd in the 18th over to spur the Sunrisers forward.

The skipper scored his second fifty in just 17 deliveries and got to his maiden T20 century with a glorious six through the covers off Lizaad Williams. Williams removed Markram and Stubbs in a brilliant penultimate over, but Gerald Coetzee conceded 27 runs in the final over to take the Sunrisers to a commanding total of 213.

In response, JSK’s chase got off to the worst start imaginable. Faf du Plessis found the man at deep square leg to fall for a second consecutive golden duck, while Leus du Plooy also departed without troubling the scorers.

Reeza Hendricks kept Johannesburg interested with a delightful knock of 96 and was well-accompanied by power-packed cameos from Donavon Ferreira and Romario Shepherd. However, the asking rate kept getting away from Johannesburg, and the Super Kings eventually fell short by 14 runs.

The Sunrisers will now go on to face the table toppers Pretoria Capitals in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.