The Sunrisers Eastern Cape secured a third SA20 title in four seasons in thrilling fashion at Newlands on Sunday.
Sunrisers captain Tristan Stubbs (63* off 41 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (68* off 49 balls) shared an unbroken 114-run partnership to edge their team past the Pretoria Capitals with just four balls remaining.
The heroics were required after Dewald Brevis had earlier constructed one of the finest innings the grand old ground at the foot of Table Mountain had witnessed in all its years.
Brevis strode to the crease with the Capitals reduced to 1-2 and struck a glorious 101 off 56 balls (eight fours, seven sixes) to set up his team’s 158-7.
For three quarters of the Sunrisers’ chase it seemed that it was going to be enough to lead the Capitals’ to their maiden SA20 title.
But the Stubbs seized the initiative with 21 runs off the 18th over, bowled by Gideon Peters, to breathe life into the chase.
Twelve runs followed off Lungi Ngidi’s penultimate over before Stubbs delivered the coup de grâce with two consecutive sixes off Bryce Parsons to start the Sunrisers’ celebrations.
“I am really proud and thrilled,” said Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell. “It was a hell of a final. For Dewald to play like he did and for us to hold them to 158. And then needing 13 an over for the last four, five overs.
“Four finals in a row is a fantastic achievement. I’m very proud of every player and the whole squad. Some players haven’t played and we’ve got a very good bench that could have played in other teams, perhaps.
“You want to win the trophy but you want to do it the right way and set an example for the younger generation.”
Stubbs was delighted to lead the team to a title in his first season as captain.
“So stoked, can’t explain it. I don’t know what we did or how we did it. Me and Matty out there, we were calm but probably were panicking too. We know we bat so well together. We kept looking for an over to get momentum, it came in the 16th over and we ran with it. Funny things happen under pressure.
“I’ve really enjoyed this month. I have had a great group to work with. We plan really well for games, it’s a great run management by Aidi and the team. And we have a good Orange Army that backs us wherever we go.”
The Capitals have now lost two finals to the Sunrisers after their defeat in the inaugural showpiece in 2023, and captain Keshav Maharaj admitted it will hurt for a while..
“It is disappointing to say the least. Two batters were in and got set,” Maharaj said “You feel the hurt of coming so close. The starts we get from both bat and ball is something we have to look at.
“The boys will hurt for a bit. I’m not someone who dwells on the negatives. But we have to rectify the mistakes if we want to win trophies as a unit.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics
