Twitter Reactions: Joburg Super Kings halt Sunrisers Eastern Cape's winning juggernaut

Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings locked horns in the 17^th match of the SA20 2023 League at the St. George's Park in Gqeberha. The Sunrisers were coming off three consecutive wins, and the Super Kings, on the other hand, were placed at the bottommost position in the points table, and had been desperately looking for a win. The Super Kings ended the Sunrisers’ winning streak

Winning the toss, Joburg Super Kings’ skipper Faf du Plessis elected to bowl first. Adam Rossington and Jordan Hermann started the proceedings for the Sunrisers with the bat. While Gerald Coetzee managed to dismiss Hermann in the third over, Du Plessis’ efforts led to Sarel Erwee being run out in the same over.

As a result, Sunrisers lost two wickets in the same over and went on to score 45 runs in the powerplay. Rossington’s 31-ball 40, followed by cameos from Jon Jon Smuts and James Fuller helped the Sunrisers cross the 100-run mark on the scoreboard. But Super Kings’ bowlers Coetzee and Aaron Phangiso did a brilliant job by picking up a four-wicket haul each as the Sunrisers skittled out at 127/10 in 18.4 overs.

Super Kings’ start to the chase was sluggish as they lost their opening batter Reeza Hendricks early, in the third over. But Faf du Plessis and Neil Brand covered up for the early blow and added a composed 45-run stand for the second wicket. Though it was a low target to chase, the Sunrisers’ bowlers kept the opposition batters on the edge, and restricted them from getting runs.

Sunrisers kept picking wickets at regular intervals too, which made it difficult for Super Kings to capitalize on the momentum. Leus du Plooy’s batting efforts kept Super Kings’ hopes alive, as the game came down to the final two overs when the Men in Yellow required 13 runs to win. Several games at the SA20 tournament have ended in low-scoring thrillers, and the clash between the Sunrisers and the Super Kings was headed on the same path.

Romario Shepherd and du Plooy could not go for the big shots, but kept running between the wickets, which helped them bring down the equation to eight runs to win off the final six deliveries. Sisanda Magala did a brilliant job in restricting the batters, but Leus du Plooy hit a four off the penultimate delivery, which was then judged a no-ball and the Super Kings bagged a thrilling victory.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

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