Powerplay struggles contributed to Super Giants’ early elimination

Ongama Gcwabe

DURBAN’S Super Giants became the first team to be knocked out of the ongoing third edition of the SA20 League, a regressive feat given that the team reached the final in the second edition.

Keshav Maharaj, captain of the Super Giants, highlighted their returns in the first powerplays this season as the main reason behind their early exit.

With the bat, the Super Giants averaged 39 runs in the first powerplay, with only one 60-plus total.

With ball in hand, they conceded 58 runs on average in the first powerplay including three 60-plus totals. Maharaj also added that their fielding in the tournament was just as poor, at least as compared to the 2024 season.

"We've lost every powerplay whether bowling or batting first. That's the starting point," Maharaj admitted.

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"A big concern was the fielding and the way we fielded. It didn't look like a team that had energy compared to how we were a little bit more fluid in the field last year.

"When you lose the powerplay going four wickets down or not getting wickets from a bowling perspective first, it's very hard to come back from that."

The Super Giants' instability was also visible in the inconsistency of their batting order. Quinton de Kock, a seasoned opening batter, found himself batting at four at the start of the tournament and when the move failed, he was pushed up to his natural position.

Despite De Kock opening the batting in the second half of the tournament, he did not receive much assistance from Matthew Breetzke, Brandon King and Bryce Parsons, as the trio struggled at the top of the order this season.

“At the start of the tournament, there was a method to the madness with regards to Quinny batting at four. After five games we realised that it wasn't really working out and we needed starts," said Maharaj.

"We pushed Quinny up, he showed glimpses of what he can do but probably didn't have the support around him to get those totals that we would've liked in the powerplay and bat through.

“From the bowling perspective, we didn't take enough wickets in the powerplay and in doing so we didn't stern the flow of runs.

“We were quite expensive in most of the powerplays. Once you lose the powerplays, it's very difficult in T20 cricket regardless of how well you bowl in that middle."

The Super Giants will travel to Johannesburg to take on the Super Kings at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.