6:15pm Thanks for joining us for this game. The action in the SA20 does not stop. In fact, Durban's Super Giants have gotten off to a rollicking start against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha and that game is live. Head over there for more T20 frenzy. Until next time, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat) and Chandan! Take care, everyone!
Kieron Pollard, MI Cape Town captain: They (the openers) laid the foundation for us, not just today but last game as well. With the runs we had, we gave ourselves a good chance. (On the starts they have gotten this season) Very, very pleasing. It was one of the things we had to fix. When you go out and exercise your talent, it works wonders. It is our duty to give them confidence and boy, have they done it. They say success is boring, so we have to keep doing that process over and over again. Winning and getting a bonus point will do wonders for us. We knew the ball was going to fly, and one of the conversations was to limit the damage as much as possible and not fighting fire with fire. (On their next game being a home game) We will have the crowd behind us, and they will be expecting us to perform well. The guys had a good camp there, and we are going to try to adapt and play well.
Faf du Plessis, Joburg Super Kings captain: I thought it (the pitch) would be a little stickier. There was not much turn when Moeen bowled the first over and I was a little concerned. We gave them some loose balls and they put up a tremendous partnership. They played exceptionally well today. At one stage, it felt like we would chase 300. Great opportunity to learn from it, learn how to make those big overs a little smaller. The bowling in the back-end was better but the damage had been done by then. (On what he felt at the half-way stage) You try to say the Jacques Kallis line (that he said after the 434 innings) to keep the boys positive. But chases like that are always difficult. We picked a spin-heavy side, hoping for some more grip. This was like the old Wanderers and we need to adapt now.
Rassie van der Dussen, Player of the Match: (On returning to his home ground) I love playing here. When I came in, I first went to the wrong change-room (smiles). It is home for me, I love the people here. After the toss, I felt it was a good toss to lose. It was moving around a little with the new ball. Ryan and I decided to keep showing intent and we got some momentum from there. These two games have shown that Ryan and I make up a good partnership. We have played together for years. Ryan went (aggressively) the other day, and today I guess it was my turn. (On Rickelton missing his hundred) Disappointed for him, but he is a quality player. He has put in a lot of work and I hope it will be a great season for him. As a batter, always nice to get a big score (at the start). As a batting unit as well, two good batting performances will give us a lot of confidence. Once you get momentum, it is a nice positive.
5:55pm A massive 98-run win for MI Cape Town and that should get their campaign up and running. They win by a bonus point too, by virtue of having restricted the Super Kings to under 194. Their batters set up this game, of that there is little doubt, but their bowlers also did not miss a beat.
They were gifted a wicket early, courtesy of a mix-up, before Linde accounted for du Plessis. Rabada removed Hermann soon after and the Super Kings just could not recover. In fact, each bowler that MICT used returned with at least a wicket, and that will be a good sign for them moving forward.
Lots to ponder for JSK. They were pretty much all over the place with the ball, and their batting was not up to scratch either. The early wickets dented whatever little hope they had, and they will have to figure out a way to bounce back from this mauling.
Zahir Khan b Stone 0 (5m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Tahir is the last man in
R Shepherd c Pollard b Stone 34 (27m 19b 3x4 2x6) SR: 178.94
END OF OVER:17 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | JSK: 144/8 (100 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.47, RRR: 33.33)
- Zahir Khan0 (2b)
- Romario Shepherd34 (18b)
- Sam Curran3-0-29-1
- Liam Livingstone4-0-46-1
Zahir in at 10
N Burger c Stone b Curran 9 (14m 10b 1x4 0x6) SR: 90.00