Sunrisers Eastern Cape Clinch SA20 Title for Third Consecutive Time

Cape Town. Sunrisers Eastern Cape has created history by winning the fourth season title of the South African T20 League (SA20).

In the final clash held on Sunday at the Newlands ground in Cape Town, Sunrisers achieved the distinction of becoming champions for the third time by defeating Pretoria Capitals by 6 wickets. Having also captured the title in the initial two seasons, Sunrisers has maintained its absolute dominance in the league.

Although Sunrisers bowlers performed tightly after choosing to bowl first upon winning the toss, Dewald Brevis's explosive batting propelled Pretoria to a respectable score. Brevis played a century inning of 101 runs with the help of 8 fours and 7 sixes off 56 balls. He also became the first player to score a century in the SA20 final.

However, as other batsmen failed, Pretoria could only manage 158 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs. Sunrisers' Marco Jansen delivered a lethal spell, taking 3 wickets for just 10 runs in 4 overs.

Chasing a target of 159, Sunrisers had a very poor start. The team, which found itself in trouble after losing 4 wickets for only 48 runs, was rescued by Matthew Breetzke and captain Tristan Stubbs. These two batsmen ensured the victory in 19.2 overs by forging an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Breetzke scored 68 runs, while captain Stubbs contributed 63 runs. Stubbs secured a sensational victory for the team by hitting consecutive sixes off the first two balls of the 20th over.

With this victory, Sunrisers also avenged the loss suffered against Pretoria in Qualifier 1. Quinton de Kock, who performed excellently throughout the tournament, became the highest run-scorer of the season. He scored 390 runs in 12 matches. Dewald Brevis of the runner-up team finished second with 370 runs.