MI Cape Town underlined their status as the Betway SA20 table-toppers for Season 3 with a comprehensive bonus-point victory over the Pretoria Capitals to close out a perfect record at Newlands on Sunday.
Robin Peterson’s team followed in the Paarl Royals footsteps by becoming the second team to preserve an unbeaten home record with five victories at the foot of Table Mountain.
MI Cape Town finished on 35 points - a record points tally after the league phase - due to their 95-run victory over the Capitals.
Despite making six changes to their line-up, the home team dominated the contest from the outset.
The new opening pair of Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen displayed MI Cape Town’s formidable depth with a stunning 133-run stand for the first wicket.
Left-hander Sediqullah royally entertained the Newlands crowd with a dashing 46-ball 77 (4x6, 6x6), while Esterhuizen also pummelled 69 off 43 balls (6x4, 3x6).
Delano Potgieter added the extras with a 15-ball 26 to power MI to 201/5 - the highest total at Newlands this season.
The momentum flowed through to MI Cape Town’s bowling unit with off-spinner Dane Piedt sensationally having Capitals opener Will Jacks caught behind off the very first ball of the reply.
Piedt, who was making his Betway SA20 debut for his home town team, celebrated in wild fashion by running away to the Railway Stand in ecstasy.
The veteran off-spinner was in fine form as he picked up two further wickets to finish with the impressive figures of 3/28, which earned him the Player of the Match award.
“It has been amazing. I have grown up here. Played in front of my wife, son and parents,” said Piedt.
“I keep the guys motivated. I try to create good energy and get the guys to express themselves. I have been watching this from afar. But it has been amazing. This is what we have been calling out for. Can't drop a Man of the Match,” he said.
The MI Cape Town spinners were in fine form with leg-spinner Thomas Kaber bagging 3/21, while left-arm spinner George Linde also claimed 2/11.
Collectively, the spin trio claimed 8/60 to dismiss the Capitals for just 106 in 14 overs.
“We have been well supported. The crowd has been fantastic. The first two years didn't go as per plan. It has been extremely satisfying to see the crowd. The team has been humbled by the support,” said stand-in captain Colin Ingram.
“Really good players who have played their roles. Left-right combination opens up both sides of the wicket. We have been seeing some terrific performances. The bowlers have been incredible. We have fed off each other. We will look to do well on Tuesday.”
MI Cape Town travel to Gqeberha to face Paarl Royals in Qualifier 1 at St George’s Park on Tuesday. The winner advances straight through to the final at the Wanderers on Saturday.
Betway SA20 is heading into the business end of the competition with the start of the play-offs, bringing in an action-packed week where destiny will be decided.
MI Cape Town’s charge has been led by their devastating and consistent opening duo of Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton.
Despite being rested for the final league match of the season at Newlands on Sunday, Van der Dussen tops the run-scoring charts with 330 runs at an average of 55 and 134.15 strike-rate.
Rickelton has been equally impactful with 259 runs at an average of 51.80.
The Royals’ charge has also been led by their openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Joe Root. The latter will unfortunately not be available to the Royals for the play-offs due to international commitments but the teenager will hope to add to his 323 runs at 32.30, which has put him in second place on the run-scoring list for Season 3.
Defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape have been inconsistent during the group phase but have managed to keep their hat-trick championship bid on track through their excellent seam attack.
Allrounder Marco Jansen is top of the wicket-takers chart with 15 scalps at 15.80, while fellow fast bowler Richard Gleeson has 12 wickets at 19.91.
Jansen also leads the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with a total of 159.54 points followed by Pretorius (130.85) and Joburg Super Kings’ Donovan Ferreira (122.08).
Ferreira’s Joburg Super Kings are the final team to complete the playoffs line-up and will be hoping that playing on the Highveld will be advantageous when they meet the Sunrisers in the Eliminator at Centurion on Wednesday.
The winner of the Eliminator will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 at Centurion on Thursday for a place in the Final at the Wanderers on Saturday.
Besides watching the best of the best including Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Marco Jansen, and Faf du Plessis in action during the playoffs, the activities off the field will be dialed up a notch as sport and entertainment meet for an elevated experience. Fans attending the playoffs can look forward to:
Magical experiences for the kids:
From 2.3pm0: Kids can play cricket on the field with Betway SA20 stars (bring your own bat and ball).
Post-match: Meet the players during an on-field signing session
Glitter makeup artists, mirror men, bucket hat giveaways, inflatable butterflies and cartoon characters lighting up the concourse.
Nightwatchman’s Pass – this ticket offers families a ticket option to access to the Nightwatchman’s Den, an alcohol-free, family-friendly zone to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. A 30% discount for under-18s (automatically applied), dedicated parking and turnstile entry, and free popcorn.
Incredible fan experiences:
Take a R2 million one-handed Betway Catch or win up to R100K on the spot with Absa.
6 February at Centurion - special Innings Break performance by Kurt Darren.
Photo opportunity with the trophy.
VIP hospitality upgrades.
4 and 5 February in Gqberha and Centurion- Win 100k in instant cash and prizes during innings break games
Adult tickets from R105 at St George’s Park and R150 at Centurion:
Book online: www.sa20.co.za
20% discounts for scholars and pensioners (automatically applied)
Take advantage of our group discounts and enjoy an incredible night out with clients, colleagues or friends.
Save up to 25% when you buy 30+ tickets. To book, please email groupbookings@sa20.co.za with your request.
Fixtures
Tuesday: Qualifier 1: Paarl Royals v MI Cape Town, St George’s Park, 5.30pm
Wednesday: Eliminator: Joburg Super Kings v Sunrisers eastern Cape, Centurion, 5.30pm
Thursday: Qualifier 2: loser of Qualifier 1 v winner of eliminator, Centurion, 5.30pm
Saturday: Final: Winner of qualifier 1 v winner of qualifier 2, Wanderers: 5.30pm
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