Daijiworld Media Network - Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Jan 24: Sunrisers Eastern Cape continued their remarkable dominance in the SA20 by reaching their fourth consecutive final, a feat that spans the tournament’s entire existence so far. Already the most successful team in the league with two titles and a runner-up finish, the Sunrisers now stand just one win away from clinching a third championship.

The defending champions booked their place in the final with a commanding win over Paarl Royals in Qualifier 2 at the Wanderers on Friday, underlining why Pretoria Capitals will be wary ahead of Sunday’s title clash.

The contest was effectively decided by Sunrisers’ ruthless bowling display, which restricted the Royals to a modest 114 for 7 in 20 overs. The chase that followed was swift and emphatic, with Sunrisers overhauling the target in just 11.4 overs to seal a seven-wicket victory.

After Paarl Royals won the toss and chose to bat, the Sunrisers bowlers set the tone early. Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla and Anrich Nortje reduced the Royals to 30 for 2 inside the first five overs, with Sipamla dismissing Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Nortje accounting for Rubin Hermann.

From the sixth over onwards, the Royals were completely strangled as left-arm spinners James Coles and Senuran Muthusamy took control. Between overs six and 12, the Royals managed just 17 runs without hitting a single boundary, slipping deeper into trouble.

Kyle Verreynne finally broke the shackles with a six off Coles in the 13th over, but by then the Royals were already four wickets down. Verreynne and Sikandar Raza attempted a recovery, but Muthusamy’s double strike in the 15th over effectively ended the resistance. Verreynne remained unbeaten on 52, but the Royals failed to reach even a run-a-ball total.

In reply, the Sunrisers faced little resistance apart from a brief double-wicket burst from Bjorn Fortuin in the third over. Thereafter, the chase was smooth and clinical, reflecting the confidence and balance of a side chasing a historic third SA20 title.

With a formidable bowling attack featuring Nortje, Jansen and Muthusamy among the top wicket-takers of the season, Sunrisers Eastern Cape head into the final brimming with belief and momentum.