Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis hailed Lutho Sipamba after a comprehensive nine-wicket win against defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers, Johannesburg on Sunday. SEC captain Aiden Makram decided to bat first but the team was skittled out for a paltry score of 118.
Sipamla returned with impressive figures of 3-13 in the three overs he bowled. The right-arm fast-medium accounted for Zak Crawley, Tom Abell, and Jordan Hermann. The 26-year-old got two wickets in his opening over, which was also a maiden.
Furthermore, Hardus Viljoen bagged 4-24 in his quota of four overs and played a key role in bundling out the opposition at 118.
In response, Devon Conway scored an unbeaten knock of 76 runs off just 56 balls to help his team get over the line. This was JSK’s first win after three straight losses.
Faf du Plessis said in the post-match presentation, “T20 is a strange game. Important toss. We put in some good performances. The previous game he (Sipamla) got a wicket off the first ball but that was a no-ball. He did it again today. He got us two wickets in the first over and that made a massive difference. Even in the previous game, we weren’t too far away.”
The former South African captain added, “You don’t always get the rewards in this format. Fielding is a great measurement where a team is. The last two opportunities we have been good on the field. Someone like Conway will play good cricketing shots. He is the kind of player who anchors the innings. Strange wicket today. Glad that we are in the Highveld in the next 10-15 days.”
Sipamla was awarded Player of the Match for his fine bowling spell and he was delighted to contribute to the team’s success.
Sipamla said, “Really good start. Glad to be able to contribute. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible. I had clear plans. I feed off my captain and he does the same. I was given the opportunity and I took the chance. Nice having such players and a great coaching staff. You learn a lot and try to take it in.”
JSK will next take on Pretoria Capitals at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Tuesday.
