Markram, Stubbs lead Sunrisers Eastern Cape to competitive total

Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram was again to the fore leading his team to a highly competitive total of 165-4 after choosing to bat first in their SA20 match against the Joburg Super Kings at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Friday evening.

Markram’s 43 from 29 balls contained four boundaries and a glorious ‘inside-out’ six over long off against medium pacer Evan Jones (2-38) before a similar shot against the same bowler fell tamely to JSK captain Faf du Plessis at mid off.

Opener David Bedingham laid the platform with a measured 37 from 34 balls (4x4) after the early loss of partner Zak Crawley whose miserable form continued.

Bowled by seamer Lutho Sipamla with the first ball of the innings – a no ball – the Englishman was trapped lbw for six with the first ball of the second over from fast bowler Hardus Viljoen.

Another Englishman, Tom Abell, contributed 23 from 20 balls including a top-edged six over fine leg against Viljoen before a cross-seam delivery from Jones found the outside edge and ‘keeper Jonny Bairstow claimed a simple catch.

Tristan Stubbs drove Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana (4-0-31-0) for a glorious six to finish with an unbeaten 35 from 22 balls while Marco Jansen contributed an unbeaten 11 from 10 balls in the closing overs.

The home side have stormed into third place on the back of three consecutive bonus-point victories and have 15 points from six matches having started their title defence with three straight defeats.

The Super Kings have been battling injuries for the majority of the tournament but have still won two of their five matches with two losses and one no-result and sit in fourth place on the log with 10 points.

SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE: Zak Crawley, David Bedingham, Tom Abell, Jordan Hermann, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs (wkt), Marco Jansen, Liam Dawson, Simon Harmer, Ottneil Baartman, Richard Gleeson

JOBURG SUPER KINGS: Devon Conway, Faf du Plessis (captain), Leus du Plooy, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Wihan Lubbe, Donovan Ferreira, Evan Jones, Hardus Viljoen, Maheesh Theekshana, Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla