PC v SEC: Who Could Become the First-Ever SA20 Champions?
“A very small man can cast a very big shadow.”
One of the most popular dialogues from Game Of Thrones sums up the collective efforts of Pretoria Capitals in the inaugural edition of SA20. As a team we came together to play fearless cricket, bounce back from setbacks and managed to end the league in the top spot.
With a win over Paarl Royals in the first semi-final we sealed our spot in the SA20 final. Our last challenge in this journey to glory comes from Sunrisers Eastern Cape, our first opponents in the competition.
Our Road to the Final:
One little contribution can make the difference.
Our stand-in skipper Theunis de Bruyn highlighted our journey so far eloquently. Over the course of the league, we have proven ourselves to be one of the most balanced sides.
Adding an eXXplosive touch to SA20, we have smashed the most sixes in the tournament so far with Will Jacks hitting the lion’s share of the maximums.
Moreover, Anrich Nortje has been a force to reckon with, emerging as the leading wicket-taker so far.
Living up to the reputation of being a bonafide all-rounder, Jimmy Neesham has been nothing short of phenomenal with the bat and the ball that has been instrumental in our progress.
And of course, how can we talk about Jimmy Neesham without mentioning his mind-blowing catches?
The boys really back each other.
As Rilee Rossouw aptly explains the driving belief in our camp, this team has always stepped up to chip in for each other whenever the going got tough.
Owing to this consistent performance, we topped the table at the end of the league stage with 7 wins and 3 losses, earning 32 points in the process. Furthermore, we became the only team to attain four bonus points.
Assessing Our Opponents:
Our SA20 journey reaches a full circle as we go up against our first opponents in the competition, Sunrisers Eastern Cape who had a roller-coaster campaign in the league stages. The Orange Army finished third after we defeated Paarl Royals in the last league match of the season.
However, Aiden Markram and Co. have struck spectacular form at the right time! In fact, the SEC skipper scored a 58-ball 100 against Jo’burg Super Kings in the semi-final to ensure that the team edged closer to the ultimate prize.
Even though we have defeated SEC twice in this competition, they cannot be underestimated because of the team that they have at their disposal. Especially with Aiden Markram returning to his destructive best and just 52 runs away from becoming SA20’s leading run-scorer, our bowlers will have to bring in their A-game to get the better of him.
Race for the Highest Wicket-Taker in SA20:
With our eye on the larger prize, we will also be backing Anrich Nortje to finish as the top wicket-taker in SA20. The prolific pacer walks into the final with 18 wickets in his bag.
However, Roelof van der Merwe’s unbelievable 6/20 against Durban’s Super Giants propelled him to become a serious contender for the title. Just 3 wickets behind Anas, SEC’s leading wicket-taker will be looking to top the charts and claim victory for his team.
The Season Finale:
All roads have led to this match. After a jammed-packed month of eXXhilarating SA20 action, we are in the endgame now.
We are grateful for all the roars that have accompanied us all the way from Pretoria. As we stand on the cusp of creating history, it’s time to #RoarSaamMore!
Where to Watch:
Match Details: Feb 11, 4:30 PM SAST | 8 PM IST Wanderers, Johannesburg
Watch LIVE: Supersport TV (Sub-Saharan Africa) & Sports 18/JioCinema (India)
