SEC decimate Capitals to reclaim top spot

Sunrisers Eastern Cape stormed to a 10-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals at SuperSport Park, sealing top spot with their third bonus-point victory of the season. Chasing 177, Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow ensured there was never any sustained pressure, reaching the target in just 14.2 overs.

De Kock set the tone with positive batting, including a couple of sixes off Lungi Ngidi in the fifth over. Bairstow began watchfully but found momentum in the PowerPlay, hitting three authoritative boundaries off Andre Russell in the sixth over as Sunrisers raced to 66 without loss.

The assault gathered pace after that. De Kock brought up his fifty off 29 balls in the 11th over. Bairstow then cut loose, reaching a 35-ball fifty and dismantling Capitals skipper Keshav Maharaj in the 12th over, taking 34 runs off it with five sixes and a four. Bairstow finished on 85* off 45, while de Kock remained unbeaten on 72 off 39.

Earlier, after opting to bat, Pretoria Capitals were restricted to 176 for 6. Connor Esterhuizen top-scored with a fluent 33-ball 52, while useful contributions from Bryce Parsons and Wihan Lubbe helped them reach 91 for 3 at the halfway stage.

Sunrisers' disciplined attack repeatedly checked the momentum. Lewis Gregory's variations proved effective, and Anrich Nortje struck at key moments, including removing Esterhuizen just as he looked to accelerate. From 111 for 3, the Capitals slid to 131 for 6.

Sherfane Rutherford salvaged the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 22, clattering 22 runs off Adam Milne in the 18th over, but the late surge only lifted Capitals to a total that was comfortably overhauled.

Brief scores: Pretoria Capitals 176/7 in 20 overs (Connor Esterhuizen 52, Sherfane Rutherford 47*; Anrich Nortje 3-32) lost to Sunrisers Eastern Cape 177/0 in 14.2 overs (Jonny Bairstow 85*, Quinton de Kock 72*) by 10 wickets.