By Tim Douglas 
Sunrisers Eastern Cape have surged into the playoff contention with a commanding second consecutive bonus point win over Durban’s Super Giants at St George’s Park on Sunday. This victory marks a turning point for the defending champions after a tough start to the season with three straight defeats.
Marco Jansen’s Impactful Performance
The catalyst for the Sunrisers’ resurgence has been Marco Jansen, last season’s leading wicket-taker. His stellar performance with the new ball set the tone for the match. Jansen’s figures of 2/23 included the crucial early dismissal of opener Brandon King with just the second ball of the innings. The packed St George’s Park erupted in cheers, buoyed by the electric atmosphere created by the Orange Army and their iconic brass band.
Speaking about his performance, Jansen said, “It’s not easy to bowl in the powerplay, but for me, it’s all about taking wickets. The crowd here is amazing, and their support makes a big difference.”
Bowling Unit Shines
Jansen was ably supported by a well-rounded bowling attack. Richard Gleeson (2/19) continued his fine form, moving to the top of the tournament’s wicket-takers list with eight wickets at an average of 14.25. Ottneil Baartman (2/30) and Liam Dawson (2/11) also contributed significantly, restricting the Super Giants to a modest 115/8.
Despite Kane Williamson’s steady knock of 44 off 45 balls, the Super Giants struggled to build momentum. A late flurry from Naveen-ul-Haq, who scored an unbeaten 30 off just 15 balls, provided some resistance but was insufficient to challenge the Sunrisers’ total.
Clinical Chase Led by Markram
In response, the Sunrisers’ batting was led by David Bedingham, who smashed a quick-fire 39 at the top. Jordan Hermann kept the scoreboard ticking with a handy 23, setting the stage for skipper Aiden Markram to finish the job. Markram’s unbeaten 31 off 20 balls, capped by a towering six over square leg, secured the win and sent the home fans into raptures.
This back-to-back win has reignited the Sunrisers’ campaign, bringing them closer to securing a playoff berth and keeping their hopes of a third consecutive championship alive.