Key performances from Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, and Ottneil Baartman continued the resurgence for the defending champions of the SA20.

The Sunrisers notched up their fourth consecutive victory with a convincing display in a medium-scoring contest against the Joburg Super Kings.

SEC began relatively slowly, but the 49-run stand between Markram and Bedingham was when the innings gradually picked up steam. Boundaries were hard to obtain, but singles and doubles galore kept the innings going. It culminated with a late blitz from wicketkeeper Tristan Stubbs, who scored a priceless 35* from 22 at the back end. Markram top-scored with 43 from 29 in what was a relatively mellower showing with the bat for the home team.

What appeared to be a relatively low-stress chase started to get dicey, as JSK began well but stayed well behind the asking rate for the first half of their innings. Captain Faf du Plessis broke free, but Marco Jansen had his number just when he was starting to take the game away.

The tall left-armer also accounted for the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, who was looking out of sorts in his 16-ball 14. But just prior to that, Markram’s offspin sent back Leus du Plooy, and that would spell out how the rest of the JSK chase would go about. Every occasion when it looked like they’d gain the upper hand, the hosts quickly brought things back in the balance.

But soon enough, the scoreboard pressure was obvious. Attempted big shots brought about wickets, and that left a mammoth 25 to get from the final over. Baartman recovered from an expensive first over to strike twice at the death, as he’s done for the Proteas in the recent past.

SEC are now 2nd on the log with this win. JSK have slumped to 4th place, as we approach the business end of the tournament.

Photo: SportzPics