The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been the Cinderella story of the SA20. A team put together by the pragmatic head coach Adrian Birrell that focused on prioritising local talent complimented by hard-working English professionals.
This would provide the basis for a strong team culture led by the leadership core of Birrell and captain Aiden Markram.
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And while they may not have completed the title hat-trick in Season 3, the dynamic duo have managed to achieve the near impossible of two titles and a runners-up medal in three seasons.
“Three years ago, if you would have said we would have won twice and got a runners-up once in those three years, I think we would have been dreaming because that’s a hell of an achievement,” Birrell said.
“I know we lost, but flippen hell, I am so proud. We’ve had three proper years. We fought like hell. Never once did anyone give up. We showed character, and there’s been a lot of camaraderie and team spirit that has taken us through. So, we can hold our heads up high.”
“Yeah, we (Aiden and I) get on well. I think we chat about the games behind the scenes, but not excessively so. I think we’ve just got a very good rapport. I’ve known Aiden for a long time.
“When I was with the Proteas, he came into the Proteas set-up while I was there. And then he played half a season with Hampshire in my first year at Hampshire, which was six years ago. So we go back a long way and I think we’ve got a very good relationship. I think it’s worked well over the past three seasons.”
In a manner similar to having two parents that sing from the same hymn sheet, it has led to the development of a group of players that enjoy each other’s company and are willing to go to the end of the Earth for each other.
It was particularly evident in Season 3 when the Sunrisers lost their first three matches that would have sunk the morale of most teams. Instead of allowing all the outside noise to tear them apart, they pulled closer to hit a four-game winning streak.
And when they encountered defeat again – twice in succession – they bounced back yet again with three consecutive wins to secure another place in the grand final.
It takes a special group of players to overcome adversity in this manner and star allrounder Marco Jansen, who was named Player of the Season for his efforts, believes it all starts off the field.
“The team that we have for the past three seasons, I don’t know how we do it, but somehow we manage to pull back and show our face again in the qualifiers and in the finals. It’s not easy to get a team like that, in my opinion.
“I think we have a group of guys that we gel really well together. We play golf together, we go to dinner together, lunch together, go for coffee together,” he said.
“We really enjoy each other’s company. I think that sort of plays a part as well and that sort of goes over onto the field. So yeah, I think we have a group of guys that have a lot of big kahunas in character, if I can say it like that.”
The Sunrisers may not have achieved the ultimate glory that belonged to MI Cape Town this past SA20 season, but there’s no doubt this group will be back again next season challenging for honours.