Cricket fans were treated to an exhilarating showdown at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on February 5, 2025, as the Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings Match Scorecard in the SA20 Eliminator match. This high-stakes clash determined which team would advance to Qualifier 2 to face the Paarl Royals, with a chance to secure a spot in the SA20 final against MI Cape Town. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, two-time defending champions, showcased their knockout prowess, securing a commanding 32-run victory over the Joburg Super Kings. Let’s dive into the match details, key performances, and the full scorecard to relive this thrilling encounter.

Match Overview: A Battle for Survival

The SA20 Eliminator was a do-or-die contest, with both teams vying for a place in the next stage of the tournament. The Joburg Super Kings, led by Faf du Plessis, won the toss and elected to field, hoping to leverage their bowling attack on a pitch that offered some grip. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, under the leadership of Aiden Markram, were ready to set a challenging total and defend it with their balanced bowling unit. The match, played under overcast skies with occasional drizzle, saw a strong turnout of fans, particularly on the grass banks, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

The Sunrisers posted a competitive 184/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a match-defining knock from captain Aiden Markram and valuable contributions from Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen. In response, the Joburg Super Kings struggled to keep up with the required run rate, finishing at 152/7, despite a fiery cameo from Jonny Bairstow. The Sunrisers’ disciplined bowling and sharp fielding ensured they maintained control throughout the chase, securing their place in Qualifier 2.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape Innings: Building a Formidable Total

The Sunrisers’ batting innings was a tale of resilience and calculated aggression. After losing early wickets, they relied on their middle order to stabilize and accelerate. Here’s how their innings unfolded:

Early Setbacks

The Joburg Super Kings’ decision to bowl first paid off initially, as their bowlers struck early. Tony de Zorzi fell for 14 runs, dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana, while David Bedingham’s quickfire 27 (including three fours and a six) was cut short by Imran Tahir. Jordan Hermann (12) and Tom Abell (10) also departed early, leaving the Sunrisers at a precarious 75/4 after 9 overs.

Markram and Stubbs Turn the Tide

Captain Aiden Markram anchored the innings with a brilliant 62 not out off 40 balls, including five fours and two sixes. His composed yet aggressive approach was crucial in guiding the team out of trouble. Tristan Stubbs, the wicketkeeper-batter, played a vital supporting role, scoring 26 off 21 balls with a four and two sixes. Their 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just 39 balls steadied the ship and set the stage for a late flourish.

Late Fireworks

Marco Jansen provided the much-needed impetus towards the end, smashing 23 runs off 12 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His aggressive strokeplay, combined with Markram’s consistency, helped the Sunrisers reach 184/6. The innings saw a total of eight extras, with the Super Kings’ bowlers struggling to contain the run flow in the death overs.

Key Bowling Performances for JSK

Imran Tahir was the pick of the Joburg Super Kings’ bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs in his 4 overs, including the crucial scalps of Bedingham and Stubbs. Hardus Viljoen also chipped in with 2 wickets, but his 36 runs in 4 overs proved expensive. Maheesh Theekshana and Moeen Ali took one wicket each, but Lutho Sipamla’s 4 overs went for a costly 72 runs, highlighting the Sunrisers’ dominance in the latter stages.

Joburg Super Kings Innings: A Chase That Fell Short

Chasing 185 on a tricky wicket was always going to be a challenge, and the Sunrisers’ pace-heavy attack made it even tougher. The Joburg Super Kings needed a solid start and consistent partnerships, but the Sunrisers’ bowlers had other plans.

Early Promise Fades

Faf du Plessis (19 off 18) and Devon Conway (30 off 20) started brightly, putting on 40 runs for the first wicket. However, Marco Jansen struck in the 4th over, dismissing Conway, and Ottneil Baartman removed du Plessis with a clever slower delivery in the 7th over. The Super Kings were 62/2 at this stage, but the quick fall of JP King (9) in the 8th over to Liam Dawson’s bowling shifted the momentum.

Bairstow’s Brief Resistance

Jonny Bairstow, the Super Kings’ wicketkeeper-batter, injected some hope with a blistering 37 off 17 balls, including three fours and three sixes. His aggressive approach briefly threatened to turn the game, but Dawson struck again in the 14th over, bowling a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Bairstow and effectively seal the Super Kings’ fate at 116/6.

Middle-Order Collapse

Wihan Lubbe (13) and Moeen Ali (0) fell in quick succession to Craig Overton, who bowled a double-wicket maiden in the 12th over. Evan Jones (22 not out) and Hardus Viljoen (14) provided some late resistance, but the required run rate had climbed too steeply. The Super Kings ended at 152/7, falling 32 runs short.

Sunrisers’ Bowling Masterclass

The Sunrisers’ bowlers executed their plans perfectly. Craig Overton was outstanding, taking 2 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs, including a maiden. Liam Dawson also claimed 2 wickets for 35 runs, while Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartman took one wicket each. Richard Gleeson, though wicketless, maintained pressure with his pace. The Sunrisers’ ability to bowl tight lines and exploit the pitch’s grip was key to their victory.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings Match Scorecard, SA20 Eliminator 2025

Below is the detailed scorecard for the match, capturing every batter’s contribution, bowling figures, and key match details.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings Match Scorecard: SA20 Eliminator 2025

Match Details

• Date: February 5, 2025

• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion

• Toss: Joburg Super Kings won the toss and elected to field

• Result: Sunrisers Eastern Cape won by 32 runs

• Player of the Match: Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

• Umpires: Arno Jacobs, Bongani Jele

• Third Umpire: Marais Erasmus

• Match Referee: Simon Lambson

Sunrisers Eastern Cape Innings: 184/6 (20 overs)

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Tony de Zorzi	b Theekshana	14	9	1	1	155.56
David Bedingham	c du Plessis b Imran Tahir	27	14	3	1	192.86
Jordan Hermann	c Jones b Viljoen	12	16	1	0	75.00
Tom Abell	c & b Ali	10	10	1	0	100.00
Aiden Markram (c)	not out	62	40	5	2	155.00
Tristan Stubbs (wk)	c Lubbe b Imran Tahir	26	21	1	2	123.81
Marco Jansen	c Lubbe b Viljoen	23	12	2	2	191.67
Liam Dawson	not out	2	2	0	0	100.00
Extras	(lb 2, w 6)	8
Total	(6 wickets, 20 overs)	184

Did Not Bat

Craig Overton, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson

Fall of Wickets

• 27/1 (de Zorzi, 2.4 overs)

• 48/2 (Bedingham, 4.5 overs)

• 63/3 (Hermann, 7.2 overs)

• 67/4 (Abell, 8.3 overs)

• 117/5 (Stubbs, 15.2 overs)

• 182/6 (Jansen, 19.4 overs)

Bowling (Joburg Super Kings)

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Lutho Sipamla	4	0	72	0	18.00
Maheesh Theekshana	4	0	29	1	7.25
Imran Tahir	4	0	21	2	5.25
Hardus Viljoen	4	0	36	2	9.00
Moeen Ali	3	0	18	1	6.00
Evan Jones	1	0	6	0	6.00

Joburg Super Kings Innings: 152/7 (20 overs)

Batter	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Devon Conway	c Stubbs b Jansen	30	20	6	0	150.00
Faf du Plessis (c)	c Markram b Baartman	19	18	1	0	105.55
JP King	b Dawson	9	10	1	0	90.00
Wihan Lubbe	c Stubbs b Overton	13	18	1	0	72.22
Jonny Bairstow (wk)	b Dawson	37	17	3	3	217.64
Moeen Ali	c Dawson b Overton	0	4	0	0	0.00
Evan Jones	not out	22	17	0	1	129.41
Hardus Viljoen	c Jansen b Baartman	14	15	1	0	93.33
Maheesh Theekshana	not out	1	1	0	0	100.00
Extras	(lb 2, w 5)	7
Total	(7 wickets, 20 overs)	152

Did Not Bat

Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla

Fall of Wickets

• 40/1 (Conway, 4.2 overs)

• 62/2 (du Plessis, 7.5 overs)

• 62/3 (King, 8.1 overs)

• 91/4 (Lubbe, 12.2 overs)

• 91/5 (Ali, 12.6 overs)

• 116/6 (Bairstow, 14.5 overs)

• 140/7 (Viljoen, 18.6 overs)

Bowling (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Marco Jansen	4	0	31	1	7.75
Richard Gleeson	4	0	40	0	10.00
Ottneil Baartman	4	0	25	2	6.25
Liam Dawson	4	0	35	2	8.75
Craig Overton	4	1	20	2	5.00

Squads

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

• Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, David Bedingham, Jordan Hermann, Tom Abell, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Marco Jansen, Liam Dawson, Craig Overton, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson

• Bench: Caleb Seleka, Daniel Smith, Andile Simelane, Beyers Swanepoel, Roelof van der Merwe, Simon Harmer, Okuhle Cele, Zak Crawley

• Support Staff: Adrian Birrell

Joburg Super Kings

• Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Wihan Lubbe, JP King, Evan Jones, Hardus Viljoen, Maheesh Theekshana, Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla

• Bench: Leus du Plooy, Sibonelo Makhanya, Donovan Ferreira, Tabraiz Shamsi, Matheesha Pathirana, Gerald Coetzee, Beuran Hendricks, Doug Bracewell

• Support Staff: Stephen Fleming

Key Moments and Turning Points

1. Markram’s Match-Defining Knock: Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 62 was the backbone of the Sunrisers’ innings. His ability to pace the innings and accelerate at the right moments earned him the Player of the Match award.
2. Overton’s Double-Wicket Maiden: Craig Overton’s 12th over, where he dismissed Wihan Lubbe and Moeen Ali without conceding a run, swung the game firmly in the Sunrisers’ favor.
3. Bairstow’s Explosive Cameo: Jonny Bairstow’s 37 off 17 balls provided a glimmer of hope for the Super Kings, but his dismissal by Dawson in the 14th over ended their realistic chances.
4. Sunrisers’ Bowling Discipline: The Sunrisers’ bowlers, particularly Overton, Dawson, and Baartman, maintained tight lines and used the pitch’s grip to stifle the Super Kings’ batting lineup.

Post-Match Reflections

Aiden Markram, reflecting on the win, credited his team’s all-round performance: “We haven’t put a complete game together this season, but tonight was close. The bowlers were brilliant, and the batters found their groove at the right time.” For the Joburg Super Kings, Faf du Plessis acknowledged the challenge of chasing on a tricky surface, noting that early wickets and the rising run rate proved too much to overcome.

Why This Match Matters

This Eliminator clash was more than just a game; it was a testament to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s ability to perform under pressure. Their victory kept their dream of a third consecutive SA20 title alive, setting up an exciting Qualifier 2 against the Paarl Royals. For the Joburg Super Kings, the loss marked the end of their campaign, but their spirited fight, particularly Bairstow’s cameo, showed their potential for future seasons.

Conclusion

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs Joburg Super Kings Match Scorecard on February 5, 2025, was a classic T20 encounter, filled with drama, skill, and standout performances. Aiden Markram’s leadership, both with the bat and in the field, guided the Sunrisers to a well-deserved 32-run victory. The detailed scorecard above captures the essence of this thrilling match, and the Sunrisers’ fans will be eagerly awaiting their next challenge in Qualifier 2.