Sunrisers do double over Paarl Royals to secure top spot in SA20

Sunrisers Eastern Cape completed a five-wicket win and the double over Paarl Royals to secure top spot after the SA20 Season 2 round-robin stage concluded at St George's Park on Sunday.

The Sunrisers' gave their passionate supporters the perfect farewell gift ahead of their Qualifier 1 against Durban's Super Giants at Newlands on Tuesday.

Royals captain David Miller finally won his first toss of the season and opted to bat first with his team posting a competitive 159/7.

Jos Buttler (38), Dane Vilas (34) and Wihan Lubbe (27) all made worthwhile contributions, while Ottniel Baartman (2/33) finished with the best figures for the Sunrisers.

Sunrisers' suffered a blow ahead of the match with leading batter Tom Abell ruled out through injury, but this allowed for the return of Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma to the starting XI.

Bavuma had not played any white-ball cricket since the Proteas’ ICC World Cup semi-finals defeat to Australia in Kolkata last November due to injury.

Bavuma took on the responsibility of guiding the Sunrisers' run chase as the home team lost wickets at regular intervals during the run chase. 

Some of Sunday's top performers were Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo and Patrick Kruger.

The highlight of his innings was a sweet sweep shot off left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin that sailed into the stands.

Bavuma shared a 63-run partnership off just 45 balls with Sunrisers Aiden Markram (37 off 27 balls) before following it up with another crucial 26-run stand with Tristan Stubbs.

Unfortunately Bavuma could not take the Sunrisers all the way over the line when he held out in the last over for 33 off 30 balls, but Patrick Kruger ensured the Sunrisers' "12th man" would leave St George's Park with smiles as he struck Royals rookie Nqabayomzi Peter, who was entrusted with the final over on his Betway SA20 debut, for six off the penultimate delivery of the innings.

The Royals, therefore, finished in third place on the table and will head to the Wanderers to face the fourth-placed Joburg Super Kings in the Eliminator on Wednesday, 7 February.

The Sunrisers' and second placed Durban's Super Giants will lock horns in Qualifier 1 at Newlands on Tuesday, 6 February.

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