Twitter Reactions: Sunrisers Eastern Cape rise to top of points table after last SA20 league game

Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated Paarl Royals in an inconsequential match in SA20 2024, which also happened to be the last encounter in the round-robin phase of the tournament. This match took place at St. George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, February 4.

Both teams, having already booked their tickets to the playoffs, decided to rest some of their key players. While the Sunrisers made two changes to their playing XI, the Royals had four players coming into their side.

David Miller won the toss for the Royals and opted to bat first. Jason Roy, Mitchell van Buuren, and Miller were dismissed cheaply inside the first 10 overs but Jos Buttler played a fine knock of 38 off 22 balls. Dane Vilas also chipped in with a 25-ball 34 and his 49-run partnership off 38 balls with Wihan Lubbe (27 off 20 balls) helped their team set up a decent platform heading into the backend of the innings. However, they fell in consecutive overs and it meant that the Royals had no set batters who could capitalise at the death.

Andile Phehlukwayo remained unbeaten on 16 off 13 balls, as the batting side finished on 159/7. Ottniel Baartman was the pick of the bowlers for the Sunrisers, as he finished with figures of 2/33 in his four overs.

Sunrisers got off to a slowish start as openers Jordan Hermann and Dawid Malan got out after playing at strike rates of less than 100. While Hermann made 21 off 22 balls, Malan took 20 balls for his 19. Temba Bavuma, who had been brought into the side for this fixture, scored 33 of 30 balls and formed a decisive 63-run partnership off 45 balls alongside skipper Aiden Markram (37 off 27 balls).

Tristan Stubbs played a fine little cameo of 19 off 12 balls before Patrick Kruger's 26 off seven deliveries helped Sunrisers get across the line with one ball to spare. Eight runs were required off the last over. Young leg-spinner Nqaba Peter was given the ball. He took a wicket off his first ball and conceded three runs off his next two balls to keep the Royals in the hunt. However, Kruger hit a four and a six off the next two balls to take his team home.

With this win, the defending champions finished on top of the table of the SA20 2024, overtaking Durban Super Giants. These two teams will lock horns in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, February 6, in Cape Town. Meanwhile, the Royals will square off against Joburg Super Giants in the Eliminator on Wednesday, February 7, in Johannesburg.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to the encounter: