The Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape produced an SA20 thriller in Centurion on Thursday that was full of twists and turns.
Having been put into bat the Capitals made just 125 before their bowling unit rose like a Phoenix out of the ashes to restrict the Sunrisers to 122-9.
The three-run victory was significant for so many reasons. The Sunrisers defeated the Capitals in last season’s inaugural final and also bowled them out for just 52 earlier this week.
But most importantly, it has resurrected the Capitals’ campaign, lifting Wayne Parnell’s team off the bottom of the log for the first time.
The match was in the balance until the very last ball with the Sunrisers requiring four runs for victory.
Despite being struck for a six off the fourth ball of the last over, Capitals seamer Daryn Dupavillon held his nerve to send down a full delivery that Sunrisers all-rounder Liam Dawson missed while attempting a ramp shot.
Dawson had earlier given the Sunrisers’ hope after Parnell had reduced the Sunrisers to 102-9 with 10 balls remaining.
The England all-rounder struck Parnell for two sixes on the grass bank – one of which was caught by spectator Aidan Evetts who became the fifth fan to claim his share of the SA20 Catch R2-Million competition.
Parnell (3-33) had earlier precipitated the Sunrisers collapse when the visitors were cruising to the victory target at 72-4 in the 14th over.
The skipper removed both Patrick Kruger and Marco Jansen within one over to haul his team off the canvas and back into the contest.
He was followed by leg-spinner Adil Rashid (3-30) who produced the same bit of magic to send Tristan Stubbs (35) and Beyers Swanepoel back to the pavilion in another double wicket over.
The Sunrisers lost five wickets for just 30 runs in this period before Dawson’s late assault gave them hope again.
HIGHLIGHTS: Pretoria Capitals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20)
The Capitals innings was an equally eventual affair with Jansen (3-27) and Dan Worrall (2-29) causing the damage along with three run outs.
It was only a 52-run partnership with Shane Dadswell (24) and Jimmy Neesham (27) that helped the Capitals to a competitive and ultimately winning total.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics
