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With that exhilarating final, the inaugural SA20 comes to an end. It has been a joy to bring this tournament to one and all. The action has ended here, but you can switch tabs to follow the Women in Blue, who are currently chasing 150 against arch-rivals Pakistan. This has been Lavil Saldanha alongside Karthik Raj on behalf of Sportskeeda signing off. We hope you have enjoyed our coverage and look to seeing you sometime soon. SEE YA!
A loud cheer from the SunRisers Eastern Cape as they lift the trophy. SA20 has been an impressive league with each and everyone following their favourite teams closely. It was supposed to get the attention of the locals but has also grabbed international attention. This is a huge day for South African Domestic Cricket as said by Wayne Parnell. This is just the start of something amazing for the fans of South Africa and its cricket
Aiden Markram (captain, Sunrisers Eastern Cape): I don't think many people gave us a chance before the tournament started. Was a bit up and down at the start but the character came out at the end. (On Roelof van der Merwe) He has. I have spent some time with him at the Spartans before he left. After we lost a couple of games in the beginning, needed someone like him to change the momentum. We were thinking how good it would be to have a Rosso (Adam Rossington) special and we are incredibly happy for him to have done that. Thoroughly enjoyed it. When you have players who are ready to put their bodies on the line, it becomes pretty easy. Proud of each and everyone in our team including those in the back-room. That crowd at St.George's Park is something to cherish. Hope we did them proud.
Wayne Parnell (captain, Pretoria Capitals): It's the first SA20 and it has been a great tournament. It is a special day for South African domestic cricket. Would've loved to win this match but credit to SunRisers Eastern Cape. We beat them twice in the league but were beware of the threat they possess. We were 25-30 runs short, Rossington came in the powerplay and took the bull by the horns. The message from the first day is to be brave, we had one no-result game. Everyone's character has impressed me. There is a lot of respect. Everyone left their egos at the door and played the best cricket
Aiden Markram, Player of the Season: (Hundred in the semi) That was a belief-booster for me. We were in a spot of bother and was great to come out of that. (Whether he expected to be so good with the ball) Not at all. You almost try to do a job here and there. Overall, very happy with how it went. Grateful to get this award. (About his father and family) He has been my side all the way. Can't thank them enough. Extremely grateful for their support!
Roelof van der Merwe, Bowler of the season: It's an unbelievable feeling. I don't know where to start but everyone stood up and it was a proper team effort. (About Anrich Nortje) He bowls absolute rockets, bowls really well and is an asset for any team he plays. I was supposed to help the team in the next but here I am helping the team and taking them over the line
Jos Buttler, Batter of the Season: (Recorded video) Hi guys, had a fantastic time at the inaugural SA20. Thanks to the Paarl Royals. Hoping to be back next year for hopefully a bigger and better tournament!
Eathan Bosch is the rising star in this edition of SA20. Here's what he has to say: It's been an awesome tournament to be a part of. It allows you to see what you are lacking while rubbing shoulders with the best in the world. Gutted to be ending up on the wrong side but you win some and you lose some. Not so used to playing in front of a huge crowd but a huge thanks to all in South Africa who have come out and supported the league
Adrian Birrell, Sunrisers Eastern Cape coach: We are absolutely thrilled. Fabulous month and a half. To win the trophy is fabulous. Absolutely fantastic, we lost the first two games, had to re-group, make some tough calls. I haven't done much, everything has been done for me
SunRisers Eastern Cape are the winners of the Spirit of Cricket award. This is awarded to the teams who have shown respect for the game and towards the umpires and their opponents
Roelof van de Merwe is awarded the player of the match for his figures of 4/31. Here's what he has to say: It feels great to be champions. The boys are feeling great and I'm enjoying every moment. Enjoy every moment, you never know when you play your last game. Amazed at the way Rossington played on the pitch, it had a bit of help for us (slower bowlers). Nobody gave us a chance at the start, but we did well to come back. The support in P.E. was amazing. Thanks to one and all who supported us during the tough stages.
Tristan Stubbs: Saved our best for the last. We made a game there (Laughs) but we had our best for the last two games. It will be a good night, let's just say that!
Marco Jansen: Was a bit stressful at the end like finals are but happy to get the team over the line. After Anrich Nortje's over, wanted to take it on if it was in my half. Wasn't a great start for us but after the win against MI Cape Town, it clicked for us both on and off the field. Doesn't hit me right now, maybe tomorrow I will get to know how it feels to lift this title. Pretty special though!
Roelof van der Merwe: We could still do that and be comfortable. They had some threats, just needed to see them off. The boys gelled after a while, got going and it is so good to win here at the Wanderers. The P.E crowd is just unbelievable, would have loved to have played in front of them!
SunRisers Eastern Cape win the match by 4 wickets and are the inaugural SA20 champions
SEC: 137/6 after 16.2 overs
Adam Rossington: 57(30b) | Aiden Markram: 26(19b) Anrich Nortje: 2/21 (4 overs) | Adil Rashid: 1/13 (4 overs)
A fitting final to end what has been an excellent tournament for the Proteas Cricket. 33 matches later, SunRisers Eastern Cape have been crowned as the champions after winning a tough fight against Pretoria Capitals, who gave it their all but ended up on the wrong side.
The chase started off in some fashion. SEC lost the wicket of Temba Bavuma early in the innings, but that didn't bother Adam Rossington, who switched gears and helped SEC to reach 76/1 after 6 overs, with Rossington recording a 50 for himself too. He was batting alongside Jordan Hermann, who enjoyed batting second fiddle and scored at a healthy rate.
The middle overs were where the problems grew multifold. SEC lost wickets at regular intervals and slumped from 91/2 to 126/6, losing 4 wickets whilst only adding 25 runs to the total. Markram, Stubbs and Cox, all of them failed to hold onto their temperament and gifted away their wickets in the most unworthy fashion.
Marco Jansen then took the task on his shoulders as he finished the match in Dhoniesque fashion- smashing a maximum and etching his team's name on the trophy as the inaugural champions.
Spare a thought for Pretoria Capitals, who gave it their all. Adil Rashid and Anrich Nortje did really well with the ball in hand as they picked up wickets and even didn't concede boundaries. Colin Ingram, Neesham and Eathan Bosch picked up a wicket each but in the end, defending 136 was an uphill task for them.
SEC was placed 3rd and now has won the league after losing 4 matches early in the tournament. Congratulations to them and commiserations to the Capitals. Let's head down to the presentations and see what the captains and other award winners have to say.
SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE AT THE INAUGRAL SA20 CHAMPIONS!
16.2 James Neesham to Marco Jansen, UFF!! JANSEN FINISHES OFF THE MATCH AND THE TOURNAMENT WITH A MAXIMUM!! Full and slow outside-off, Jansen stretches and lofts it over extra-cover for a maximum. The best possible way to win the championship!! The celebrations can start for the Orange Army!
16.1 James Neesham to Marco Jansen, WHAT NERVES DOES JANSEN ASK? Over-pitched delivery, Jansen comes forward and drives it between extra-cover and mid-off for a boundary. FOUR!! Sunrisers only require 5 more for the title!
Summary of middle overs (Overs 7-16): • Hermann and Rossignton continue to dominate the proceedings till the halfway mark • A change in fortunes as Adil Rashid sends back Hermann, while Rossington slows down a bit and later is dismissed by Nortje • Aiden Markram starts off well but slows down in the middle. In a bid to accelerate, he loses his wicket • Stubbs and Cox get to the middle and try to steady things but Neesham sends the Englishman back to the dugout • Nortje returns back into the attack and picks up the wickets of Stubbs • SEC slip from 78/2 to 127/6 and need 9 runs in 24 balls