Gous powers Edinburgh Castle Rockers to inaugural ETPL title

Dublin, 20 September 2026: Andries Gous produced a match-winning unbeaten 90 as Edinburgh Castle Rockers defeated Belfast Wolves by seven wickets to become the first champions of the European T20 Premier League at Malahide on Sunday.

Chasing 151 in the final of the inaugural edition of the ETPL, the Rockers reached 151 for three in 18.4 overs, sealing victory with eight balls to spare.

Gous was the central figure in the successful chase, striking eight fours and four sixes during his 61-ball innings and remaining at the crease to see Edinburgh complete their title-winning pursuit.

Belfast had earlier posted 150 for five from their 20 overs after Edinburgh captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field.

The Wolves lost Paul Stirling for eight in the third over, but Tim Tector and Devon Conway rebuilt the innings with an important second-wicket partnership.

Tector anchored Belfast's innings with 84 from 62 deliveries, hitting nine fours and two sixes, while Conway contributed 29 from 24 balls.

The partnership carried Belfast to 81 before Conway was dismissed by JJ Smuts in the 12th over.

Edinburgh then managed to slow the scoring through the middle phase. Belfast captain Glenn Maxwell made only three, while Lorcan Tucker was dismissed for six as the Wolves slipped from 81 for one to 105 for four.

Tector continued to hold the innings together and took Belfast towards a competitive total before Tom Curran bowled him from the final delivery of the innings.

Trent Boult was the most successful Rockers bowler, returning two for 21 from his four overs, while Curran, Mark Watt and Smuts claimed a wicket each.

Edinburgh made a brisk start to the chase, reaching 54 for one from the six-over powerplay.

Ross Adair provided the early momentum with 23 from just 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before Mark Adair removed him with the final delivery of the third over.

Gous then took control of the chase.

While JJ Smuts played the supporting role, Gous steadily reduced the required rate and brought up his half-century from 36 balls. The pair added 53 for the second wicket before Matthew Humphreys dismissed Smuts for 15 at the end of the 10th over.

Belfast still had an opportunity to bring themselves back into the contest, but Gous refused to allow the chase to drift.

He found another useful partner in Brandon McMullen, whose 17 from 12 balls helped the Rockers maintain their momentum. The pair added 60 for the third wicket and took Edinburgh to within sight of the championship.

McMullen fell with the score on 139, but by then Gous had left Belfast with little room for a late recovery.

Santner joined him for the closing stages, and Edinburgh completed the chase at 151 for three after 18.4 overs to secure the inaugural ETPL crown.

Gous was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 90, an innings that ultimately separated the two sides on the biggest night of the tournament.

For Belfast, Tector's 84 had given them a defendable total, but the Wolves were unable to find a way through Gous as Edinburgh finished the competition as the first champions in ETPL history.

Scores in brief:

European T20 Premier League 2026 – Final, Malahide, Dublin

Belfast Wolves 150/5 in 20 overs (Tim Tector 84, Devon Conway 29; Trent Boult 2/21, Tom Curran 1/33, Mark Watt 1/21)

Edinburgh Castle Rockers 151/3 in 18.4 overs (Andries Gous 90 not out, Ross Adair 23, Brandon McMullen 17; Matthew Humphreys 1/29, Gavin Hoey 1/30, Mark Adair 1/30)

Edinburgh Castle Rockers won by seven wickets with eight balls remaining

Player of the Match: Andries Gous (Edinburgh Castle Rockers)