Rutherford’s cameo in vain

CENTURION, South Africa:

Sherfane Rutherford smashed a boundary-laden, unbeaten 47, but it was not enough to prevent the Pretoria Capitals from going down by 10 wickets to Sunrisers Eastern Cape when the SA20 continued on Monday.

Rutherford clobbered four sixes and three fours in his 22-ball knock that carried the Capitals to 176 for seven in their 20 overs at SuperSport Park.

Opener Connor Esterhuizen topscored with 52 off 33 balls, inclusive of six fours and two sixes, while Shai Hope made just five.

Anrich Nortje claimed 3-32 while Adam Milne took 2-36 for the Sunrisers.

The opening pair of Jonny Bairstow, who hit an unbeaten 85, and Quinton de Kock who finished on 79 not out, then shared an unbroken partnership as Sunrisers romped to 177 without loss in 14.2 overs.

Bairstow slammed eight fours and six sixes in his 45-ball knock while Player-of-the-Match de Kock smashed six sixes and five fours in 41 balls.

The win catapulted the Sunrisers to the top of the table on 15 points from their five games while the Capitals remained fifth with just seven points from their five games. - CMC