Aiden Markram of Sunrisers Eastern Cape is again leading his side from the front this season. Sportzpics
The third edition of the SA20 is taking shape and with the twists and turns that have been on offer for the past week, here Obakeng Meletse looks at the top five performers in the tournament in the last few games.
Aiden Markram
The hard-hitting right-hander has led the way both as captain and at the top of the order with the bat as the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have fought their way back into the qualification positions on the log.
The 31-year-old has been instrumental in the defending champions’ season so far and his innings of 68 off 55 balls under testing batting conditions against the Pretoria Capitals on Wednesday. That has been the standout performance so far in a season that has seen him consistently find himself in the top five of the best batters in the tournament.
Currently with two half-centuries, Markram will continue to play a key role in the defence of their title as some of the key members of the side continue their search for form.
Noor Ahmad
The left-arm wrist spinner has been a thorn that none of the batters have found a solution for yet. With best figures of 4/25, the Afghan international has picked up nine wickets in seven matches in a season that is turning out to be disastrous for his Durban’s Super Giants side.
Popular for his exploits in the T20 format around the globe, the 20-year-old has won duels in almost every spell he has bowled in the tournament so far. He could be another player that needs to carry on their good form if the Durban Super Giants are to finish the season on a high.
Joe Root
The experienced English international has come in and stamped his authority early on in his debut season in the tournament.
The Paarl Royals have shown a huge amount of improvement and they have set the tone for the rest of the competition with five wins from their six matches.
Root’s opening partnership with young prospect Lhuan-dre Pretorius has been one of the standout features in the Cape side's season so far.
His high score of 92 in a high-scoring eight-wicket win against the Capitals showed class and a temperament that was missed in seasons past, but it will be his leadership and ability to soak in pressure that could bring Paarl closer to their maiden triumph.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius
The wicketkeeper batter has been the find of the tournament so far.
Of course, many came into the tournament knowing the power he possessed and his ability to tear new ball bowling attacks apart with his fearless approach, but since the start of the competition, he has stepped up a gear.
His knock of 83 off 52 against neighbours MI Cape Town has seen him comfortably maintain the lead in the run-scoring charts with his tournament strike rate of 190.19, a key factor in setting up his team for their wins.
Marco Jansen
Quietly the lanky all-rounder has not only been among the leading wicket takers in the tournament but he is the all-time leading wicket taker in the history of the competition.
His figures of 4/13 in a crushing 52-run win against the Pretoria Capitals could have been vital for the Sunrisers’ momentum and in rescuing their season to secure a place in the next round.