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The third edition of SA20 kicks off with defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape facing MI Cape Town at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. The Sunrisers come into this game with the psychological advantage of a perfect 4-0 record against MI Cape Town. However, it’s a new season, and Cape Town will aim to turn the tide, starting with this high-stakes opener. Both teams are equipped with exciting talent, making this a must-watch clash.
Match Details
| Fixture | Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape Town |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, January 11, 2025 |
| Time | 5:30 PM Local / 9:00 PM IST |
| Venue | St George’s Park, Gqeberha |
Teams Preview
Sunrisers Eastern Cape Preview
The two-time defending champions begin their campaign aiming for a hat-trick of titles. Led by Aiden Markram, who scored 261 runs in SA20 2024, the Sunrisers boast a balanced and experienced squad. Tristan Stubbs, the tournament’s top scorer last year with 301 runs at an incredible strike rate of 168, will again be pivotal in their batting lineup.
David Bedingham, in excellent domestic form, adds depth alongside Jordan Hermann and Tom Abell, who provide stability in the top order. On the bowling front, Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartman were exceptional last season, sharing 38 wickets between them. The all-round abilities of Liam Dawson and the spin of Simon Harmer offer further variety, making the Sunrisers’ bowling a complete package.
Key Players: Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Ottneil Baartman
Sunrisers Eastern Cape Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Jordan Hermann | Batter |
| Tom Abell | Batter |
| David Bedingham | Batter |
| Aiden Markram (c) | All-rounder |
| Tristan Stubbs (wk) | Batter |
| Andile Simelane | All-rounder |
| Marco Jansen | Bowler |
| Liam Dawson | All-rounder |
| Simon Harmer | Bowler |
| Ottneil Baartman | Bowler |
| Richard Gleeson/Craig Overton | Bowler |
MI Cape Town Preview
After finishing at the bottom of the table in the previous editions, MI Cape Town will be eager to make a fresh start. Their hopes suffered a setback with Ben Stokes ruled out due to injury, but they still have a formidable squad.
Ryan Rickelton, who amassed 530 runs in SA20 2024, will anchor the batting lineup alongside Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. Dewald Brevis adds explosiveness in the middle order, while Azmatullah Omarzai provides all-round flexibility.
In the bowling department, captain Rashid Khan leads from the front. Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult are proven wicket-takers and will pose significant challenges to the Sunrisers’ batters. Nuwan Thushara or Tristan Luus could be exciting options to complement their pace attack.
Key Players: Rashid Khan, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada
MI Cape Town Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Reeza Hendricks | Batter |
| Ryan Rickelton (wk) | Batter |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter |
| Rassie van der Dussen | Batter |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Rashid Khan (c) | Bowler |
| Thomas Kaber | Bowler |
| Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| George Linde | All-rounder |
| Trent Boult | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara/Tristan Luus | Bowler |
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Tristan Stubbs |
| Vice-Captain | Ryan Rickelton |
| Batsmen | Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Jordan Hermann |
| All-rounders | Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Liam Dawson |
| Wicketkeeper | Tristan Stubbs |
| Bowlers | Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Trent Boult |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
St George’s Park offers true bounce and shorter boundaries, favoring aggressive batting. However, the coastal breeze and evening dew can impact the game, particularly for bowlers. Spinners are likely to find some purchase as the game progresses.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 154
- Top Batting Score: 225/3 (Durban Super Giants vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
Toss Prediction: Bowl First
Teams often prefer chasing here, as the evening dew makes bowling challenging. Both captains are likely to opt for fielding first.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Gqeberha will be ideal for cricket, with temperatures hovering around 22°C. Clear skies are expected with minimal wind and no chance of rain.
Winning Prediction
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are well-equipped to dominate once again with their formidable batting and balanced bowling attack. MI Cape Town, despite boasting a strong lineup, will need significant contributions from their top-order and bowling unit to stand a chance.
Prediction: Sunrisers Eastern Cape to secure victory and begin their title defense in style!
