CAPE TOWN, South Africa, CMC – A useful all-round performance from former West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard failed to inspire Mumbai Indians Cape Town, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape clinched a tense, four-run win in their SA20 match yesterday.
The 36-year-old Trinidadian defied a maiden T20 hundred of 106 not out from opener Jordan Hermann and grabbed two for 22 from three overs after Sunrisers decided to bat and reached 202 for two in the match at the Newlands Stadium.
Pollard returned to hit one four and two sixes in 24 from 19 balls, but he was dismissed with 26 required from the final 12 balls, and his side failed to complete the run chase to stumble to their second defeat in their first three matches in the second season of the tournament.
Cape Town, who finished at the bottom of the table last year, are fourth this season on five points, and the win carried Sunrisers to third on six points.
Ryan Rickelton led the way for MI Cape Town with 58 off 33 balls and fellow opener Rassie van der Dussen supported with 41 from 28 balls, and they gave the hosts the perfect start.
The pair put on 108 to set MI Cape Town on course for a record chase, but their departure – in the 10th and 12th overs respectively – stemmed their side’s momentum.
The dismissals of Dewald Brevis, for eight, and England international Liam Livingstone, for two, to pacer Ottniel Baartman in the space of five balls in the 13th over created further pressure for MI Cape Town. Pollard and England international Sam Curran resurrected the MI Cape Town chase with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket, but the home team ultimately required 15 off the final six balls, and Baartman was handed the responsibility with sending down the final over.
MI Cape Town rookie Connor Esterhuizen belted the first ball over mid-wicket for six, but the 30-year-old uncapped pacer held his nerve, sending down inch perfect yorkers for the defending champions to edge to victory in thrilling fashion and ended with three for 35 from his allotted four overs.
Earlier, the 22-year-old Hermann struck eight fours and six sixes from 62 balls to join the growing list of SA20 century-makers to set the foundation for the Sunrisers win.
There was a touch of good fortune when Connor Esterhuizen at slip dropped Hermann off the second ball of the innings off from South Africa international strike bowler Kagiso Rabada.
From there, Hermann and England international Dawid Malan, on his Betway SA20 debut, dominated with a 138-run opening stand.
Malan showed all his experience with 53 off 37 balls that proved to be the perfect guiding hand for Hermann to express his talent.
Pollard removed Malan with a return catch in the 13th over, and he got Sunrisers captain and South Africa international batsman Aiden Markram caught at point in his next over.
Hermann carried his bat all the way through the end, bringing up his milestone in the final over, and Sunrisers ended with the highest SA20 total in matches at this venue.
