Though they were unable to pull off an incredible “three-peat”, Sunrisers Eastern Cape can hold their heads high despite being beaten by MI Cape Town in Saturday’s Betway SA20 cricket final.
Written off by some after losing their opening three matches, the Sunrisers bounced back in magnificent style to reach yet another final at the Wanderers.
It was the first time the Sunrisers had lost a knockout match in the tournament’s history and it took a powerful Cape Town side to end an incredible winning streak.
Skipper Aiden Markram and his team were supported by their fanatical “Orange Army” fans whenever they played matches at their historical St George’s Park home base.
It was unanimously agreed by visitors from around the world that the flag-waving Sunrisers fans provided the best atmosphere produced in any of SA’s stadiums.
On game day, Gqeberha’s streets were filled with fans wearing distinctive orange shirts as cricket fever took hold.
The last time cricket gripped the imagination of Gqeberha’s residents to such an extent, was way back in 1989 when Kepler Wessels inspired an EP revival that included a famous Currie Cup final win at St George’s Park.
Such was the interest in Saturday’s final, that a big crowd gathered at St George’s Park to watch a live broadcast of the game on a big screen.
Faced with many of the world’s best cricketers, it was always going to be a tough ask for the Sunrisers in the hurly-burly world of 20 over cricket where a fair slice of good fortune is required.
Cape Town finally justified their star billing and favourites’ tag at a packed Wanderers when they amassed 181/8 against the champions.
They then broke the hearts of Sunrisers fans by bowling out the Eastern Cape side for a modest 105 to secure a 76-run victory.
After two seasons in which they had underperformed, Cape Town finally hit their straps and lived up to the expectations of their wealthy owners.
The Sunrisers’ innings never got going and the writing was on the wall long before the final ball was bowled.
Even in defeat, the Sunrisers kept the orange flag flying high.
The Herald
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