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De Kock & Bairstow Smash Records in Sunrisers' Historic 10-Wicket Chase

Sunrisers Eastern Cape achieved a historic 10-wicket victory, completing their highest successful run-chase in SA20 history. Openers Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow were rampant in an unbeaten partnership, chasing down 177 with ease. Bairstow smashed 34 runs in a single over off Keshav Maharaj, setting a new record for the most expensive over in the tournament. The win propelled the Sunrisers back to the top of the SA20 league table.

Key Points: Sunrisers Win by 10 Wickets in Record SA20 Chase

  • Record 10-wicket win
  • Highest successful SA20 chase
  • Bairstow hits most expensive over
  • Sunrisers return to top of table
2 min read

De Kock and Bairstow power Sunrisers to record-breaking win at Centurion

Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten partnership powers Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a record-breaking victory over Pretoria Capitals.

"He blasted five sixes and a boundary in the 12th over to smash 34 runs, which is now the most expensive over in SA20 history. - Release"

Pretoria, January 6

SA20 Season 4 is the year of records with Sunrisers Eastern Cape storming to a first-ever victory over the Pretoria Capitals at Centurion, as per a release.

Sunrisers completed their highest successful run-chase in SA20 history by cruising past Capitals' 176/7 with all 10 wickets to spare. It propelled Tristan Stubbs' side back to the top of the table with 17 points.

Openers Quinton de Kock (79 not out, 41 balls, 5x4, 6x6) and Jonny Bairstow (85 not out, 44 balls, 8x4, 6x6) were in a rampant mood as the experienced duo dispatched the Capitals' bowlers to all parts of Centurion.

De Kock lit the touchpaper with the left-hander dominating the Powerplay, striking the ball sweetly over the cover region for a couple of sixes off Lungi Ngidi. He later dished out similar treatment to Lizaad Williams as the Sunrisers took control.

Bairstow was initially content to watch De Kock take on the Capitals' bowlers, but he soon switched gears when Capitals spinner Keshav Maharaj brought himself on in search of the breakthrough.

The former England World Cup winner treated Maharaj with disdain as he blasted five sixes and a boundary in the 12th over to smash 34 runs, which is now the most expensive over in SA20 history.

The four Player of the Match candidates were Quinton de Kock, Connor Esterhuizen, Anrich Nortje and Sherfane Rutherford, with the QDK winning 91.2% of the fan vote.

Sunrisers had earlier delivered a clinical bowling and catching display to limit the Capitals to a below-par total.

Although new opener Connor Esterhuizen (52, 33 balls, 6x4, 2x6) and middle-order smasher Sherfane Rutherford (47 not out, 22 balls, 3x4, 4x6) bookended the innings, the Sunrisers never loosened their grip.

Anrich Nortje lit up his former home ground with thunderbolts in excess of 150 km/h to claim 3/32, while Lewis Gregory was metronomical to finish with figures 1/18 off his four overs.

Adam Milne was also able to absorb a 22-run penultimate over to claim 2/36, which included the big wicket of Capitals' new West Indian recruit Andre Russell.

It was courtesy of a spellbinding one-handed diving catch from Player of the Match De Kock, which underlined the Sunrisers' supremacy on the night.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Great win for Sunrisers, but honestly, the bowling from Pretoria looked toothless. 34 runs in one over? That's just poor planning. They need to find a way to contain these big hitters in the middle overs. Still, a very entertaining match for the fans.
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Aryan P
De Kock was on fire! His keeping was brilliant too with that catch. Shows the value of a wicketkeeper-batsman in form. Sunrisers look like the team to beat this season. Hope we see more such performances in the IPL too!
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Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, it's great to see such high-quality league cricket outside of the IPL. The standard in SA20 looks really good. Nortje's pace was frightening! Good to see him back and bowling fast.
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Karthik V
Bairstow's innings was a proper "see ball, hit ball" display. When he gets going, he's so hard to stop. A 10-wicket win with so many overs to spare is a real statement. Sunrisers are topping the table for a reason. 🔥
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Nikhil C
Enjoyed the match highlights. The partnership was a masterclass in chasing. They never let the pressure build. Also, a respectful note to the Capitals' batters Esterhuizen and Rutherford - they did their job, but the total was just not enough on that pitch and against that bowling attack.

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