Ryan Rickelton’s maiden SA20 century could not escape MI Cape Town from a 15-run loss to the Durban Super Giants in a thrilling Season 4 opener at Newlands.
On a run-filled opening night with a total of 449 runs scored, including 25 sixes and 40 boundaries, Rickleton’s 113 off 65 balls pushed MI Cape Town to the edge.
But, finally, Durban’s Super Giants’ record 232/5, which surpassed Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s 204/3 in the Season 2 Final at this stadium, proved too much on a night when the Newlands audience were thoroughly amused.
DSG’s all-New Zealand opening pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson dominated the Powerplay, racing to 96 in just 8.3 overs before Tristan Luus had Williamson (40 off 25 balls, 7×4) brilliantly caught by MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan, who ran back from mid-off before diving full length to hold the stunning catch.
After Kiwi Trent Boult picked up Conway (64 off 33 balls, 7×4, 2×6), Englishman Jos Buttler (20 off 12 balls) and Heinrich Klaasen (22 off 14 balls) kept the momentum going.
There was no relief for the defending champs, as Aiden Markram and Evan Jones kept the boundaries pouring. Markram scored 35 off 17 balls (5×4, 1×6), while Jones hit an undefeated 33 off 14 balls (4×4, 2×6).
Rickelton dominated the MI Cape Town run-chase, as the left-hander continued his love affair with Newlands. Despite the absence of Rassie van der Dussen (2) and Reeza Hendricks, the League’s leading run-scorer slashed, drove, and pulled aggressively.
Jason Smith’s debut for MI Cape Town resulted in an impressive 41 off 14 balls (4×4, 3×6).
However, DSG kept chipping away, with Smith, Nicholas Pooran (15), and Dwaine Pretorius (5) leaving during the death overs.
Rickelton was given a lifeline on 85 when Kwena Maphaka overstepped the front line, forcing the opener to be recalled after getting caught in the deep.
It allowed Rickelton to push on his second career T20 century, but with 22 runs required off the final over, DSG seamer Eathan Bosch (4/46) held his nerve to send the left-hander back to the pavilion to end MI Cape Town’s valiant run-chase.
India
