Sunrisers Eastern Cape Overcome Dewald Brevis' Brilliance To Win Third SA20 Title

Sourav Ganguly’s misfortune in big finals has persisted from his days as captain to his current role as head coach. Sunrisers Eastern Cape defeated his Pretoria Capitals by six wickets, securing their third SA20 title in four seasons.

A sold-out crowd at Newlands witnessed high-quality entertainment as Sunrisers captain Tristan Stubbs (63 not out off 41 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (68 not out off 49 balls) shared a crucial 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket. This effort led their team to victory with four balls to spare, chasing a target of 159.

Earlier, Dewald Brevis (101 off 56 balls) played one of his best T20 innings, helping Pretoria reach 158 for 7. The game turned in the last two overs of Pretoria’s innings, especially after Brevis was

dismissed in the 19th over. Roston Chase (4 not out off 9 balls), Keshav Maharaj (0 off 3 balls), and Lizaad Williams (0 not out off 1 ball) managed just three runs off 10 deliveries.

Adrian Birrell’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape has now played in all four SA20 finals, winning three times. Ganguly, however, continues to face disappointment in finals on South African soil, having lost the 2003 World Cup final as captain and now, as the first Indian head coach of a T20 franchise in an overseas league, facing setbacks in both the IPL and WPL finals during his tenure with Delhi Capitals.

Brevis had launched a high-quality counter-attack when Pretoria was reduced to 8 for 2, hitting eight fours and seven sixes to set up the team’s total. For most of Sunrisers’ chase, it looked like enough until Stubbs arrived.

Stubbs revitalised the chase by scoring 21 runs off Gideon Peters’ 18th over. The Newlands crowd sensed something special as 12 runs followed off Lungi Ngidi’s penultimate over before Stubbs sealed the win with two consecutive sixes off Bryce Parsons.

“I am really proud and thrilled. It was a hell of a final. For Dewald to play like he did and for us to hold them to 158. And then needing 13 an over for the last four-five overs,” Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell said.

“I’m very proud. Four finals in a row is a fantastic achievement. I’m very proud of every player and the whole squad. Some players haven’t played and we’ve got a very good bench that could have played in other teams, perhaps, but I’m very proud to get here today and we’ve got to be giving ourselves a chance. You want to win the trophy but you want to do it the right way and set an example for the younger generation.”

Stubbs was equally thrilled with leading his team to a championship title in his first season as captain.

“So stoked, can’t explain it. Don’t know what we did or how we did it. Me and Matty out there, we were calm but probably were panicking too. We know we bat so well together. Kept looking for an over to get momentum,” Stubbs said.

“Came in the 16th over and we ran with it. Funny things happen under pressure. Have really enjoyed this month. Have had a great group to work with. We plan really well for games. It’s a great run management by Aidi (coach Adrian) and the team. And we have a good Orange Army that backs us wherever we go.”

The Capitals have now lost two finals to the Sunrisers, including the inaugural showpiece in 2023, and captain Keshav Maharaj admitted the defeat would sting for a while.

“It is disappointing to say the least. Two batters were in and got set. You feel the hurt of coming so close. The starts we get from both bat and ball is something we have to look at. Boys will hurt for a bit. I’m not someone who dwells on the negatives. But we have to rectify the mistakes if we have to win trophies as a unit,” said Maharaj.

(With PTI Inputs)