GQEBERHA, South Africa, CMC – West Indies fast bowler Odean Smith rattled Sunrisers Eastern Cape but the hosts held their nerve to inch to a four-wicket victory over MI Cape Town in the SA20 here yesterday. With Eastern Cape chasing 159 at St George’s Park, the 26-year-old struck twice in the 14th over, first removing captain and top-scorer Aiden Markram (50) and then knocking over Jordan Cox (1), to leave the innings stuttering on 109 for five. Tristan Stubbs then revived the chase with an 18-ball 30 but when Smith also prised him out with the first ball of the final over, it left Eastern Cape needing five runs to win off the last five deliveries of the contest. However, James Fuller provided a dramatic finish, lashing the next two deliveries from Smith for boundaries, sealing his side’s first win of the tournament and dealing leaders Cape Town their second defeat in four matches.
George Linde’s 63 not out powered Cape Town to 158 for eight from their 20 overs after they were sent in, Rassie van der Dussen backing up that effort with 29 from 22 deliveries.
The innings was stagnating at 52 for four in the 10th over before Linde, who belted four fours and five sixes in a 28-ball stunner, put on 59 for the fifth wicket with van der Dussen, to consolidate.
Smith perished for 10 in the 17th over, holing out to deep mid-wicket at 124 for six.
In reply, left-arm pacer Sam Curran put Cape Town on top when he removed both openers in successive openers to reduce the run chase to nine for two.
Markram wrested back control for Eastern Cape, inspiring a 92-run, third wicket stand with Sarel Erwee (41), while punching seven fours in a 35-ball knock.
Both fell in a slide triggered by Smith – three wickets falling for eight runs in 11 balls – before Stubbs launched his counter-attack.
