Paarl [South Africa], February 3 : Sunrisers Eastern Cape will head to qualifier one of SA20 Season 2 following a bonus point 44-run victory over the Paarl Royals at Boland Park on Friday evening.
The Sunrisers’ won the toss and opted to bat first in the intense heat of the winelands.
The defending champions adapted to the slow track and showed great tactical awareness with the promotion of all-rounder Marco Jansen up to number four in the batting lineup.
It proved to be an inspired decision as the Sunrisers posted a mammoth 208/4 with Jansen leading the run spree with a career-best 71 not out off only 31 balls (four boundaries and six sixes).
He was well supported by Tom Abell (46 off 25 balls, with seven fours and a six), Jordan Hermann (36 off 37 balls, with three fours and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (22 not out off 10 balls, with a four and two sixes).
Jansen and Stubbs were explosive at the back end of the Sunrisers’ innings as they added 87 runs off the final 28 deliveries.
The Royals bowling unit had no answer to the onslaught as they conceded a flurry of extras during this period with Lungi Ngidi’s final over lasting 11 deliveries. Evan Jones (2/51) was the pick of the bowlers for the team.
The home team’s run chase was always going to be dependent on the start provided by their English opening pair Jos Buttler and Jason Roy.