CENTURION: Aiden Markram smashed his maiden T20 hundred as Sunrisers Eastern Cape thumped Joburg Super Kings in the high-scoring second semifinal of the inaugural SA20 on Thursday.
Captain Markram blasted 100 from just 58 deliveries, steering Sunrisers to 213/5, a peak that proved insurmountable for Joburg Super Kings despite a brave fightback from Reeza Hendrick.
Batting on the invitation of Faf du Plessis, Sunrisers went through a jittery start as they slipped to 10/2 inside the second over. Lizaad Williams set up this perfect launch for Super Kings but Markram and Jordan Hermann intercepted their high flight.
The two gathered 98 runs from 70 balls and took Sunriser to 109/2 in 13 overs before Hermann was run out for 48 while looking to steal an extra run against the throwing arm of Williams.
Markram, however, continued his momentum and brought up his century in the 19th over with a six over Williams, who then dismissed him and Tristan Stubbs (20 off 11) in the same over.
Sunrisers went past the past 180-mark in the 19th over and would have been happy with anything near 200 but a deflating 27-run over gave them an extra mile in the game.
In reply, JSK were unsettled early in the chase when captain de Plessis fell on the very first ball, trying to pull Sisanda Magala. Marco Jansen then handed another blow in the next over, dismissing Leus du Pllloy on a duck.
Hendrick, who smacked 11 fours and four maximums during his valiant knock of 54-ball 96, tried to salvage his side but his lone heroics were not quite enough to chase a mammoth target.
While Mathew Wade and Donovan Ferreira contributed 19 and 20 respectively, Romario Shepherd punched 38 off just 14 balls as Super Kings finished with 199.
READ: Karachi Kings’ squad kick off preparations for PSL season 8
