SA20: Sunrisers Eastern Cape edge Joburg Super Kings in semi-final thriller

Aiden Markram hit a sparkling century as the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have booked their place in the Betway SA20 final after a 14-run victory against the Joburg Super Kings at Centurion on Thursday. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape will meet the Pretoria Capitals in Saturday’s Betway SA20 final at the Wanderers.

Chasing a record 214 to win, the Joburg Super Kings got off to the worst possible start as they lost opener and captain Faf du Plessis. Sisanda Magala took the new ball with Du Plessis going hard on the opening delivery but was easily caught in the deep to depart for a golden duck. Leus du Plooy, who scored a match-winning half-century in the previous game, chipped it straight to backward point off the bowling of Marco Jansen for a duck.

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Markram’s ton steers the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to SA20 final

Gerald Coetzee, who has promoted up the order as a pinch hitter, shared a 52-run stand with Reeza Hendricks before Coetzee was dismissed for 12 after he nicked behind off the bowling of Roelof van der Merwe. Matthew Wade attempted to hit a six but mistimed a slow delivery from Brydon Carse to depart for 19. Van der Merwe took his second as Donovan Ferreira top-edged to the fielder and walked back after a handy 20 off nine balls.

A 61-run partnership between Hendricks and Romario Shepherd gave the Joburg Super Kings a glimmer of hope. Needing 26 off the last over, Hendricks fell to Ottniel Baartman as he departed for a heroic 96 off 54 balls (hitting 11 fours and four sixes). Shepherd remained unbeaten on 38 as the Joburg Super Kings fell short by 14 runs. After being sent to bat first, Markram’s smashed a century as Sunrisers Eastern Cape posted a record 213-5. Pacer Lizaad Williams struck twice as he got Temba Bavuma caught at slip with a mean awkward bounce off the glove to send the Proteas white-ball captain out for a golden duck.