SA20: Richard Gleeson holds nerve as Joburg Super Kings win eliminator thriller

Super Kings posted a strong 205 for eight, built around a fluent half-century from Shubham Ranjane, who top-scored with 50. The total looked competitive on a good batting surface, but Super Giants stayed in the contest throughout a tense chase.

At 108 for four in the 13th over, Super Giants appeared to be slipping behind the required rate. However, Evan Jones and Aiden Markram launched a counter-attack, adding 60 runs in just 24 balls to swing the momentum back their way and set up a thrilling finish.

Needing 19 from the final two overs, the game turned on a crucial spell from England seamer Richard Gleeson. His penultimate over was outstanding, conceding little and also bringing the run-out of Jones, a key moment that shifted the pressure back onto the chasing side.

That over left Super Giants needing 15 from the final six balls.

Wiaan Mulder bowled the last over and was immediately hit for six from the second ball. Tension rose further when he sent down two consecutive wides while attempting the fifth delivery. When a legal ball finally came, Simon Harmer struck a straight four to level the scores.

Harmer then missed the final ball and tried to steal a bye, but Eathan Bosch was run out by Donovan Ferreira, forcing the match into a one-over eliminator.

Gleeson returned to bowl the eliminator and delivered under immense pressure. He conceded just six runs, only four of them from the bat, and dismissed Evan Jones. That left Super Kings with a manageable target, which Rilee Rossouw chased down calmly by hitting Noor Ahmad for two boundaries to secure the win.

Gleeson finished with figures of three for 41 and was the decisive figure on the night. The victory extended Super Kings' strong start to the tournament and moved them into second place on the table, while Super Giants remained close behind in third.