SA20 Season 2: Jansen, Baartman Star As Sunrisers Eastern Cape Seal Second Successive Final Berth

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Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman starred with the ball as defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape reached their second consecutive SA20 final following a 51-run victory over Durban's Super Giants in the Qualifier 1 at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday (February 6).

After David Malan's fifty helped Sunrisers post 157/8 in their allotted 20 overs, Jansen (4 for 16) and Baartman (4 for 10) joined forces to bundle out Durban's Super Giants for 106 in 19.3 overs.

For Sunrisers, Liam Dawson also claimed two crucial wickets of Quniton de Kock (20) and Wiaan Mulder (38), while Heinrich Klaasen (23) was the only other DSG batter to enter double figures.

Earlier, opting to bat, opener Malan held the Sunrisers' innings together with a knock of 63 off 45 (6x4, 1x6) after the innings was disrupted by a two-hour rain delay. Captain Aiden Markram also contributed with a knock of 30 from 23 balls.

But the skipper's dismissal started a collapse that saw the defending champions lose five wickets for 29 runs. Two run outs and some excellent death bowling from Junior Dala (2/35) provided DSG with momentum heading into their run chase.

In the DSG run chase, Sunrisers Eastern Cape got off to the perfect start with Jansen removing Tony de Zorzi in the second over. De Zorzi was the first of Jansen's four scalps on the night.

But the game-changing over of the night came when Baartman bowled a double-wicket maiden. The right-arm seamer, who has been consistent throughout the competition for the Sunrisers, moved to the top of the SA20 wicket-takers leaderboard with his 4-wicket haul.

Baartman first got rid off Matthew Breetzke, who top-edged to wicket-keeper Tristan Stubbs. The second was, however, due to brilliant piece of athleticism from Markram with the skipper throwing out one hand whilst in the air to help dismiss Jon Jon Smuts at mid-on.

The Super Giants still had the dangerous Quinton de Kock at the crease, but he too was sent back to the dugout courtesy of another fantastic caught and bowled from Dawson. The left-arm spinner also removed DSG's top-scorer Mulder.

The Sunrisers, however, knew that whilst Klaaasen was still at the crease the Super Giants were always still in the hunt. But Baartman held his nerve and forced Klaaasen to nick one for caught behind just when the Proteas superstar was starting to warm up.

Klaasen's dismissal signalled the end of DSG's challenge on the night with Jansen running through the tail to ensure a smooth passage to the final for the Sunrisers, who will now spend the week in Cape Town in the build-up to Saturday's grand final.

Durban's Super Giants, meanwhile, will travel to Johannesburg to meet the winner of the Eliminator between Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings in Qualifier 2 at the Wanderers on Thursday (February 8) for a second opportunity to advance to the final.