Match Center

Right then that is it from this absolute run-fest. Durban's Super Giants finish their league stages as table-toppers while Joburg Super Kings have somehow scraped through to the playoffs. However, there is still one league-stage game as Sunrisers Eastern Cape takes on Paarl Royals. That game will begin on 4th February, Sunday at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Faf du Plessis, the victorious skipper and the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fiery half-century is up for a chat. He says that he is very tired and even in the last game, it felt like everything was going against them. Tells that cricket is a funny game that can make you feel like that. Adds that watching the earlier game, they thought they were dead and buried and they were thinking about the bonus point. Mentions that to put in a performance like this in a crucial game, he is very proud of his boys. States that 190 was par here, but they gave away a few big overs. Further says that he has not been at his best in this tournament and it is frustrating, but in these important games, you need to bring out the soldier in you which he did and he is happy that he could score the runs. Ends by saying that they are playing at home in the playoffs and if he could choose, he would have chosen to play the back-stretch of the games at home. Says that if they play like this, they will be difficult to beat.

Keshav Maharaj, the captain of Durban's Super Giants says that the connection off the field is really important as they are a tight-knit group. Adds that the energy and vibe are different in this season. Praises their coach Lance Klusener for his positivity and the ability to bring out the best in the players. Tells that would like to know what Heinrich Klaasen has for breakfast as he has been unreal for them with the bat. Mentions that they have two chances of making it to the final and will take all the positive from this defeat and come back stronger in the playoffs.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the day, Durban's Super Giants batting first was off to a slow start and in a situation of bother with 3 wickets down inside the powerplay. JJ Smuts and Wiaan Mulder then batted sensibly as they first stabled the ship and then motored along. The duo added 115 for the fourth wicket partnership. Heinrich Klaasen gave the finishing touch as he usually does, as he scored 40 off just 16 deliveries. Wiaan Mulder was the top scorer with 58 while JJ Smuts scored 55 as well. Lizaad Williams was the best bowler for Joburg Super Kings with 3 wickets to his name, while Doug Bracewell took a couple and Nandre Burger scalped one. Bracewell also only conceded 7 runs in the last over with Klaasen on strike, and that turned out to be massive in this game. Joburg Super Kings needed something special from their batters, and they got that as they successfully chased down the biggest total in SA20 history to progress to the next round.

Durban's Super Giants, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their bowling effort. Even though they have qualified for the playoffs, they have hoped for a better show from their bowlers. Firstly, they couldn't get any early breakthroughs, and on top of that, they were taken to the cleaners by the batters. However, Noor Ahmad stood out alone with his amazing spell, and it looked like he was bowling on a different pitch altogether. He was the one who got them back in the game with the big wicket of Faf du Plessis and bowled an exceptional 17th over where he got rid of Leus du Plooy and conceded just one run that shifted the momentum of this game again. But, Naveen-ul-Haq and Dwaine Pretorius could not contain the batters, The latter got rid of Moeen Ali in the last over but failed to defend the total successfully.

Chasing a big total like this, Joburg Super Kings needed a quick start. Their skipper, Faf du Plessis took the matter into his own hands and smashed it all around the park while Leus du Plooy did not hold back as well. They made full use of the Powerplay and smacked 75 runs in it. Faf was ultimately dismissed after smacking a quick-fire half-century, and the opening stand of 102 runs was finally broken. However, Wayne Madsen didn't let the scoring rate go down and continued to rack up the runs while Leus du Plooy took the anchor role. The latter tried to accelerate, but he too had to walk back after an excellent fifty, with the hosts still needing a lot of runs to win. Then the veteran, Moeen Ali walked out to the middle and showed his calmness and experience to blast 26 off just balls that took them near to the total as he got out in the last over. The set Wayne Madsen was stranded on the other end on 44 off just 29 balls. All was on Donovan Ferreira as they needed 9 runs in 4 balls, and he smashed a couple of biggies to take his team to the playoffs.

SUPER KINGS ARE THROUGH TO THE PLAYOFFS! The Wanderers crowd is going berserk here! They had almost no chance at the start of the day, but earlier results went their way and they somehow found another level that got them over the line here in a thrilling encounter. Another huge positive for them is that two of the playoff games are to be hosted in this stadium and the crowd will be cheering for them and act as the 12th man. Also, this means that the Pretoria Capitals have been knocked out of this season.

Six! Hammered! The batter has thrown the kitchen sink at this one, slogging this well over mid on.

2 runs, this time the batter goes back and punches it from the crease for a couple of runs.

Six! Hammered! The batter has thrown the kitchen sink at this one, slogging this well over mid wicket.

OUT! That is a good running catch. Such catches are never easy to judge and take.

Four! The batter lofts this over the infield and bags himself a boundary.

No run, beaten! Lovely bowling as the batter is defeated all ends up.

1 run, that is punched off the back foot for a single.

Six! That is a powerful slog. It is in the air and over the boundary at mid wicket.

Six! The go-to shot of many a batter against a spinner. Get down and play the slog sweep. This one has cleared the ropes.