The highly successful SA T20 League concludes on Saturday night when the Pretoria Capitals take on the Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
We take a look at the final from a betting angle.
PRETORIA CAPITALS
The Pretoria Capitals topped the log with 7 wins and 3 losses in their 10 matches. They also finished with comfortably the highest net run rate of the six teams.
They played the Paarl Royals in the first semi-final in Johannesburg on Wednesday and having lost the toss they were sent in to bat. Having scored a massive 226 for 5 against the same opposition in Centurion the day before it was quickly apparent that conditions were different and the Capitals reached 153 for 8 off their 20 overs. Pick of the batsmen was Rilee Rossouw with 56 off 41 balls including 2 sixes.
The Paarl Royals started the run chase as favourites, but regular wickets meant the Capitals were always in with a chance and in the end they bowled the Royals out for 124 to win by 29 runs. Eathan Bosch was once again superb at the top of the order with 2 for 22 off his 4 overs and Anrich Nortje, while a bit more expensive than normal, finished with 2 for 29 off his 4 overs. There were also 2 wicket hauls for Rashid and Neesham as the bowlers spread the 10 wickets amongst them.
SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape finished 3rd on the log, 4 wins and 5 losses in their 10 games and they had 1 no result.
They went into their semi-final against the 2nd placed Joburg Super Kings at Centurion as underdogs on Thursday and having been sent into bat they were quickly in trouble with the early loss of openers, Rossington and Bavuma. Hermann with 48 off 36 steadied the innings with Captain, Markram who scored a spectacular 100 off 58 balls to lead his team to 213 for 5 in 20 overs.
It was always going to be a stiff ask for the Joburg Super Kings and when Faf du Plessis went first ball the Sunrisers became firm favourites. Joburg Super Kings made a break by reaching 199 for 6, but it was the Sunrisers who were celebrating the victory and a spot in the final.
Roelof van der Merwe was once again superb with 2 for 23 off his 4 overs and the rest of the bowlers all chipped in with decent performances.
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BETTING – Click here to bet
Pretoria Capitals 8/10
Sunrisers Eastern Cape 21/20
Suggested Bet: Sunrisers Eastern Cape win at 21/20
I just feel that the Sunrisers have got momentum heading into this game and with their middle order firing if they can get a good start with the likes of Rossington and Bavuma I think they are going to be very hard to beat.
The Capitals have been the team of the Tournament no doubt, but I do feel they haven’t been the same side since the departure of Jacks at the top of the order and I think they finish as runners-up here.
Suggested Bet: Sunrisers Eastern Cape Total 6’s, over 6.5 at 11/10
I heard one of the commentators say they are saving the good wicket for the final and let’s hope that is the case as the semi-final wicket certainly didn’t play like a Wanderers pitch of old. Assuming we get a more typical Wanderers wicket then the 6’s should flow and with the likes of Stubbs and Rossington in the side, the Sunrisers have plenty of players who can clear the boundary.
Suggested Bet: Pretoria Capitals Top Bowler, Eathan Bosch at 28/10
I reckon Nortje has been stand-out in this Tournament, but 17/10 it is just a bit short for me in this market and Eathan Bosch’s form of late certainly makes him a big runner.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
