4:41pm That will be all from us for this game. But don't go too far. The Joburg Super Kings will clash swords with Durban's Super Giants in under an hour from now, and we would love your company for that as well. Until then, this is goodbye from Binoy and myself. Take care, folks!
Jordan Hermann, Player of the Match: (On this season) Pretty dark space early on, feels nice to be contributing to the team. Have been batting well in the nets and luckily, I could make a contribution to a winning cause today. (On if he thought he would play again this season) There is always a chance, lots of changes going around, venue-specific changes too. I just saw the ball and played it as it is. (On the crowd) This is the best crowd in the country by far, if not in the world, to my knowledge. Hopefully, we can give it (the trophy) back to you later in the competition.
Aiden Markram, Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain: (On home success) Probably just get a score on the board for our bowlers to do their thing. Started really well, got to 50 in the powerplay. Nice positive there. Stumbled our way through the rest of the innings before Stubb got (us) to a score in the final over. We can take a lot of confidence moving forward. (On Jordan Hermann) Have not hit our straps yet as a batting unit. Lots of all-rounders but you feel you don't want to be a batter short (when it is not going well). He has been working hard to turn things around and good to see him (scoring). We will have to see how the wickets play (in the playoffs). Our bowlers are finding ways to get early wickets, will let them keep doing their thing and as batters, we need to find a way (to get more runs). Thank you to everyone that came out, supported us through thick and thin. Glad we could put on a show tonight and looking forward to seeing a lot of you next year.
Bjorn Fortuin, Paarl Royals captain: (On resting players) We just thought it would be fair to give other guys a chance as well. It could be a case that we play two games in the playoffs, so wanted to give the other guys a go. From what I know, he (David Miller) should be back in camp tomorrow. (On the bowling effort) We were quite good for most of it, if not all of it. Looking at that last over, a couple of balls travelled but they were going to travel anyway. Happy with the score, but unfortunately, we could not chase it. It is always tough losing early wickets, especially with the way we have been going. Someone has to step up and take responsibility. We weren't on it as a group and we will take that on the chin. We will do some reflection and hopefully we can come out better (in the next game).
4:23pm At the half-way stage, it felt SEC did not have enough on the board. But as it turned out, they had plenty. And they won it ample room to spare. Most of that was down to the damage they inflicted in the powerplay. Overton bagged three, with Jansen accounting for two others, which left the Royals tottering at 25-5.
The visitors just could not recover thereafter, despite Rubin and Phehlukwayo mounting a rear-guard action. SEC, to their credit, never lifted their foot off the pedal and once they generated a head of steam inside the powerplay, it was a long way back for the Royals, who will finish the group stage placed second, and will have to relocate to a different hotel to accommodate MI Cape Town, who will finish as table-toppers.
L Ngidi c Abell b Gleeson 3 (6m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50
For what it is worth, SEC will win with a bonus point if they restrict the Royals to 118 or below
END OF OVER:18 | 4 Runs | PR: 99/9 (50 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 5.50, RRR: 25.00)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman10 (16b)
- Lungi Ngidi3 (5b)
- Ottneil Baartman3-0-22-0
- Marco Jansen4-0-22-3
END OF OVER:17 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | PR: 95/9 (54 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.58, RRR: 18.00)
- Lungi Ngidi1 (2b)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman8 (13b)
- Marco Jansen4-0-22-3
- Liam Dawson2-0-7-1
Ngidi is the last batter in