NEW DELHI: The SA20 League‘s latest week saw dramatic turnarounds, decisive victories, and teams jockeying for playoff positions. Sunrisers Eastern Cape reignited their campaign with two stellar wins, while MI Cape Town seized the top spot in the standings.
Here’s how the teams are stacked up after the second week of intense competition in the third season of the league:
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Sunrisers bounce back with bonus-point wins
Two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape turned their season around after a dismal start, losing their first three matches. They secured two back-to-back victories, both with bonus points, to climb to fourth place with 10 points from five games. The Sunrisers’ bowlers were instrumental in this resurgence.
In their first win of the season, they bowled out Durban’s Super Giants for 107 while defending 165 away from home. Returning to their home ground in Gqeberha, they restricted the Super Giants to 115/8 and chased the target in just 15.2 overs, earning vital bonus points.
MI Cape Town dominate to take top spot
MI Cape Town had a productive week, registering two victories and topping the table with 14 points from five games. They opened the week with a commanding 33-run win against Paarl Royals at Newlands but stumbled in the reverse fixture at Boland Park, losing by six wickets. They capped off the week with a dominant seven-wicket win over Joburg Super Kings, solidifying their position as the team to beat.
Royals and Super Kings stay competitive
Paarl Royals continued their strong form, recording two wins and one loss. Their victory over Pretoria Capitals by eight wickets at SuperSport Park showcased their depth, and they sit second with 12 points from four matches.
Joburg Super Kings, currently third, secured a 28-run win over Durban’s Super Giants to start the week. A rain-affected game against Pretoria Capitals resulted in no result, but a loss to MI Cape Town in their final match of the week left them level on 10 points with Sunrisers, separated by a superior net run rate (-0.026 vs -0.470).
Mixed fortunes for the Capitals
Pretoria Capitals began the week with a much-needed six-wicket win over Sunrisers, marking their first victory of the season. However, rain disrupted their match against Joburg Super Kings, and a heavy loss to Paarl Royals followed. With nine points from five games, they remain outside the playoff spots in fifth place.
Super Giants struggle at the bottom
Durban’s Super Giants endured a winless week, suffering three consecutive losses – by 28 runs to Joburg Super Kings, and by 58 runs and six wickets to Sunrisers Eastern Cape. With just six points from five matches, they languish at the bottom of the table, needing an urgent revival to stay in contention.
As the league progresses, the fight for playoff berths heats up, promising more high-stakes action in the coming week.