T20 was called a batter’s game during its advent in the early 2000s, and in the two decades since has only grown into a different beast with bowlers often no more than punching bags. No wonder then that Daryn Dupavillon was shell shocked when Aiden Markram gifted his wicket at the Centurion.
The deck at Supersports Park on Tuesday presented a perfect storm to bowlers for creating mayhem with plenty of seam and swing movement on offer alongwith ungodly amounts of zip and extra bounce. It was enough for Eathan Bosch to scalp Zak Crawley on the last ball of the first over itself before Daryn Dupavillon took over the shiny Kookaburra to share new ball duties. Disaster ensued for the double defending champions thereon, with themselves as much to blame as credit shall be due to the opposition.
Dupavillon began with a hint of outswing to David Bedingham first up with a fullish delivery before piushing the next one a bit shorter and wider, enough to tempt his compatriot into an ambitious drive that ended up in a nick to the wicket-keeper. Skipper Aiden Markram walked in next, hoping to rescue the flailing ship, only to end up playing the exact opposite of a captain’s knock. The Proteas was endowed with a batter’s dream of a half-volley on the pads first-up to get away in style, only for Markram to nonchalantly flick it straight down Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s throat at deep square leg. Dupavillon could not believe his luck as he immediately sunk his face in his hand, almost embarrassed with the manner in which he got his second scalp. The right-arm quick simply could not stop guffawing even as his teammates swarmed around to celebrate, in sharp contrast to a livid Markram who strut slowly back to the pavilion.
Twitterati, as always, was quick to rain on the parade.
What a start
Gone
Markram 🤭 pic.twitter.com/pqSQZfQYir
— 🌘 法律を遵守する市民 (@Mthiimkhulu) January 14, 2025
And now Daryn Dupavillon gets Aiden Markram 1st ball! Shortish & angling leg-side, Markram tries to glance it away but he is too early on the shot against the fast bowler & sends it flying straight to deep square-leg! Sunrisers Eastern Cape 4-3! Hat-trick ball is wide outside off
— Ken Borland (@KenBorland) January 14, 2025
Early wickets
Strike
And now Daryn Dupavillon strikes with his 2nd ball! David Bedingham (2) just nurdling outside off-stump, hint of away movement, and edged behind, caught by WK Verreynne. Sunrisers Eastern Cape 4-2! #SA20
— Ken Borland (@KenBorland) January 14, 2025
Markram GOLDEN DUCK 🤣🤣
Dupavillon 🔥🔥🔥🔥
4-3 football score going on 😭
Hat-trick ball coming up 🔥— Blessed boi (@IBelieveInPant) January 14, 2025
Biggie
On fire
Dupavillon 🔥🔥🔥
— Blessed boi (@IBelieveInPant) January 14, 2025
Teams don’t often win after losing three in the powerplay, and SEC have lost FOUR!
Can they salvage something? Can Stubbs save them?#SA20— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 14, 2025
Disaster
Looking a disaster for the 2 time champions so far 😕@SA20_League
— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123) January 14, 2025
