SA20 Showdown Between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape Abandoned Due to Weather

Weather Disrupts Anticipated Clash

On January 3, Johannesburg witnessed a highly awaited SA20 match between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, which was ultimately called off due to adverse weather conditions at Wanderers.

Fans and players alike faced disappointment as they waited for the rain to subside, hoping for a chance to see the match unfold.

As captains Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs prepared for the toss, lightning struck, followed by a hailstorm that delayed the proceedings for nearly three hours. Eventually, the toss took place, with Du Plessis opting to bowl in what was planned as a five-over match.

However, just as the crowd's anticipation grew, lightning returned, leading the umpires to abandon the match due to insufficient time. Both teams received two points, allowing the unbeaten Joburg Super Kings to maintain a three-point lead over Sunrisers in the standings.

Earlier in the day, Lhuan-dre Pretorius shone in SA20 Season 4, scoring an impressive 98 runs to help Paarl Royals secure a nail-biting one-run victory against MI Cape Town in the Western Cape derby at Boland Park.

In a tense final over, Royals' bowler Ottniel Baartman had to defend 15 runs. After Kagiso Rabada hit a six, it seemed MI Cape Town might turn the game around. However, Baartman managed to dismiss Rabada on the next ball, leaving MI Cape Town needing six runs from the last delivery.

George Linde made a valiant effort but fell just short of the boundary, igniting celebrations among Royals supporters.

Pretorius, who had a slow start to the season, returned to form at his home ground, hitting 10 fours and two sixes in his 65-ball innings. Although he aimed for a T20 century, he ended his innings with a dot ball from Rabada.

The Player of the Match contenders included Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sikandar Raza, Asa Tribe, and Rassie van der Dussen, with Pretorius receiving 72% of the fan votes.

The Royals' opening partnership of Pretorius and Asa Tribe set a solid foundation, scoring 100 runs in just over 10 overs before Rashid Khan of MI Cape Town took a crucial wicket.

MI Cape Town also started strong, with Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton contributing significantly before Sikandar Raza made his mark by taking three wickets, including two key dismissals in one over that halted MI Cape Town's momentum.