SA 20: Joburg Super Kings and Eastern Cape Sunrisers claim victories
In a riveting SA20 clash at the Bullring, Donovan Ferreira and Moeen Ali's unbeaten 77-run partnership guided the Joburg Super Kings to their first win this season.
Ferreira's explosive 56 not out, the fastest 50 in the tournament, featured seven fours and three sixes, captivating the energetic Bullring crowd.
Facing a target of 168 set by the Pretoria Capitals, the Super Kings had a slow start, losing Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks in the power play.
Despite Leus du Plooy (33) and Sibonelo Makhanya's (40) stabilising partnership, the Capitals remained competitive, taking crucial wickets. Ferreira's aggressive batting and Moeen Ali's composed approach sealed the Super Kings' win with 12 balls to spare.
The Capitals, missing the injured Anrich Nortje, attempted to fill the void with Hardus Viljoen, but his expensive three overs went for 49 runs.
Lizaad Williams (3/26) and Nandre Burger (2/30) dominated the power play, leaving the Capitals at 44/4. However, Kyle Verrynne's resilient 72-run innings, supported by a crucial 43-run partnership with Parnell, allowed the Capitals to post a competitive total.
Adil Rashid (15) and Viljoen (10) added valuable runs, with standout performances from Williams, Burger, and Shepherd, who claimed three wickets despite conceding 39 runs.
Wayne Parnell's limited bowling raises concerns about his shoulder's fitness as the competition progresses towards the playoffs.
Elsewhere, Tristan Stubbs led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to their second Betway SA20 victory, defeating Durban's Super Giants by five wickets at Kingsmead in Durban.
Stubbs' outstanding half-century, scoring 66 runs from 37 balls with five boundaries and three sixes, guided the Sunrisers to a successful chase of the 160-run target with four balls to spare.
Facing a challenging start at 42 for three after eight overs, the Sunrisers regrouped as Aiden Markram and Stubbs contributed 56 runs. Markram's dismissal by Marcus Stoinis and the subsequent loss of Patrick Kruger left the Sunrisers at 102 for five with five overs remaining.
However, Stubbs, in his second consecutive half-century, and Marco Jansen's unbeaten 66-run partnership secured the win.
Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape now temporarily hold the third spot, but MI Cape Town has an opportunity to replace them.
Durban's Super Giants, choosing to bat first, saw Simon Harmer's exceptional bowling performance (4/18) and Wiaan Mulder's half-century (52) off 29 deliveries propel them to a competitive total of 159 for seven.
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