Captain Aiden Markram could not inspire the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a third SA20 championship after they lost to the MI Cape Town on Saturday at the Wanderers. Photo: Sportzpics
WINNING three back-to-back trophies was always going to be a big ask.
Perhaps it was a goal befitting only the Sunrisers Eastern Cape considering their two back-to-back trophies in the first two seasons of the SA20.
However, this year, it was just not meant to be for the Gqeberha-based orange army, as they fell short in the final this past weekend, beaten by a much better team on the night in MI Cape Town.
A closer look at the Sunrisers' journey to the final, one that saw the team lose their first three fixtures of the tournament, reveals that perhaps they should not have gotten to the final. However, they displayed stubbornness and will to have a hand in their fate in the third season of the SA20 as they recovered nicely from their poor start to the season.
They then went on to record four victories at home, qualified for the play-offs and beat Joburg Super Kings and Paarl Royals in the qualifiers to force their way into the final.
"Trying to get to the final after losing the first three so badly. I think it was a good effort from there to get to the finals. It was a scrap. Fought all the way. Weren't just going to give away the trophy," said Sunrisers coach Adrian Birrell.
"It was a good effort to get here. I thought we played really well in these play-off games. I thought we were peaking at the right time but it was not meant to be in the final.
"I was quite happy that we won those so well and played so well and thought that we could carry that form with the day's rest.
"We could have played the same way in the final. Credit to them. They played a really good brand of cricket tonight. They deserve the trophy. They've been the most consistent side in the competition."
Birrell had Aiden Markram as captain of the Sunrisers from the inaugural edition of the tournament, and together, they have created a strong team.
Birrell told the media that he goes a long way with Markram and that they have a good relationship, one that has certainly played a hand in the success of the Sunrisers in the SA20.
"I've known Aiden for a long time. When I was with the Proteas, he came into the setup when I was there and then he played a half a season with Hampshire in my first year at Hampshire which was six years ago," he said.
"We go back a long way and I think we've got a really good relationship. It's worked well over the past few seasons."