Pretoria: The Betway SA20 Season 4 continues to be a tournament of records, and Monday night at Centurion witnessed another historic moment as Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered their first-ever win against Pretoria Capitals in emphatic fashion.
Chasing a target of 176/7, Sunrisers completed the task without losing a wicket, marking their highest successful run chase in SA20 history. The dominant victory propelled Tristan Stubbs’ side back to the top of the points table with 17 points.
Openers Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow produced a breathtaking batting display, dismantling the Capitals’ bowling attack from the outset. De Kock remained unbeaten on 79 off 41 balls (5 fours, 6 sixes), while Bairstow blazed his way to an unbeaten 85 off 44 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes).
De Kock laid the foundation in the powerplay, launching Lungi Ngidi for back-to-back sixes over cover before continuing the assault against Lizaad Williams, giving Sunrisers early control of the chase.
Bairstow initially played a supporting role, allowing De Kock to dominate, but shifted gears dramatically once spinner Keshav Maharaj was introduced. The former England World Cup winner smashed five sixes and a four in a single over, plundering 34 runs — now the most expensive over in Betway SA20 history.
De Kock emerged as the leading contender for Player of the Match, receiving 91.2 per cent of the fan vote, ahead of Connor Esterhuizen, Anrich Nortje and Sherfane Rutherford.
Earlier, Sunrisers produced a disciplined bowling and fielding effort to restrict Pretoria Capitals to a below-par total. While new opener Connor Esterhuizen scored a fluent 52 off 33 balls and Sherfane Rutherford added a rapid 47 not out off 22 deliveries, the Capitals were never fully in control.
Pacer Anrich Nortje, returning to his former home ground, clocked speeds above 150 kmph and finished with impressive figures of 3/32, while Lewis Gregory was outstandingly economical, conceding just 18 runs for one wicket in his four overs. Adam Milne picked up 2/36, including the crucial wicket of West Indies star Andre Russell, despite an expensive penultimate over.
One of the standout moments of the match was Quinton de Kock’s spectacular one-handed diving catch, a moment that perfectly summed up Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s dominance on the night.
