Sunrisers Eastern Cape Town vs Pretoria Capitals Match Preview: Ready to Roar Saam More in the First Match of SA20
As South African T20 cricket looks to expand towards eXXciting avenues, Pretoria Capitals embark on their journey to etch their mark in the inaugural edition of the SA20. Our first opponent in this quest are the motivated Sunrisers Eastern Cape Town at the St. George’s Park Cricket Ground.
“Although individual performances are really important, cricket is a team game.”
Head Coach Graham Ford’s approach in charge of Pretoria Capitals in the first-ever SA20 aptly demonstrates his guiding philosophy. Driven by this, we aimed to construct a solid core group of local and overseas players who will aim to script history and become the winners of the league's inaugural edition.
Furthermore, Jacques Kallis and Dale Benkenstein bring in their proven expertise that promises to empower the team closer to the silverware this season.
Promising South African talent:
Captain Wayne Parnell is at the helm of proceedings for the Pretoria Capitals as we gear up for our first-ever SA20 encounter. The team travels to Gqeberha with a strong group of motivated South African players who are hungry to prove their mettle.
With Rilee Rossouw in sublime form from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, we look strong to counter the Sunrisers’ bowling attack led by Marco Jansen. Additionally, local boys Cameron Delport, Marco Marais, and Theunis De Bruyn provide crucial support ensuring a dependable depth.
The fiery Anrich Nortje leads the Pitori bowling attack. Along with him, the team is bolstered with upcoming South African talent such as Daryn Dupavillon, Eathan Bosch, and veteran Shaun von Berg.
Moreover, our core is further strengthened by the presence of dynamic all-rounders Migael Pretorius and Shane Dadswell. The latter demonstrated his finesse in the intra-squad practice match, scoring a thunderous 93.
Quality Overseas Performers:
We left no stone unturned to bring in some quality overseas performers to our squad. The English duo of Phil Salt and Will Jacks add their batting prowess which will be beneficial in South African conditions against the Sunrisers.
Additionally, Irishman Joshua Little who was one of the finds of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 promises to be a disruptive challenge for opposition batters such as Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs. Furthermore, spin-wizard Adil Rashid will remain a crucial cog to pick up wickets in the middle overs.
We will also look to turn to the vastly experienced Jimmy Neesham for his all-round masterclass. Moreover, the bench strength will be a deciding factor given the frequency of matches. In such situations, players such as Senuran Muthuswamy could provide the needed depth.
Key Battles to Watch Out for:
Both Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape Town will be hungry to start their SA20 campaign with a win. With Tristan Stubbs in their batting force and Marco Jansen spearheading their bowling attack, we have a daunting task in our hands to claim victory on away soil.
Adil Rashid v Tristan Stubbs: A middle-over battle that might swing the match in either side's favour this can be a mouth-watering contest in the game. With Stubbs' penchant for big hits, he is bound to face the wizardry of Adil Rashid’s spin. The wily leg spinner’s quality to trick opponents who might be looking for quick big runs off his bowling will make this contest one to watch out for.
Phil Salt v Marco Jansen: A heavy-hitting opener with a liking to clearing the ropes often, Phil Salt will have his first outing in South African conditions. Boasting a high strike rate and impressing over the short T20I stint, he has made a name for himself in T20s as a quick run scorer.
Marco Jansen, the tall lanky left-arm seamer is known for his pace, bounce and picking up wickets in the powerplay. Moreover, his accuracy and know-how of the conditions will prove to be an added advantage. A battle at the top to take control of the innings will be decisive to shape the course of the match.
Wayne Parnell v Aiden Markram: In the battle of the skippers and the main men for their respective sides, the battle could not get any bigger. As Protean teammates, they would know each other better than anyone. Wayne Parnell’s all-round performance will always hold the key, but if he can get the better of Markram, we can tilt the game in our favour. However, Markram’s hard-hitting can prove to be a hindrance for the Pitori. This can be countered by Skipper Parnell who is known for his change of pace and accuracy, thus giving him a slight upper hand going into this contest.
Where to Watch:
Watch the Pretoria Capitals go up against Sunrisers Eastern Cape Town in their first-ever SA20 clash:
Jan 12, 7 PM SAST | LIVE from St. George’s Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha.
