MI Cape Town came out victorious in the Derby against the JSK! A complete performance by their local lads helped them triumph over JSK with 98 runs in a no contest match at Johannesburg. The match witnessed spectacular batting performances especially from the bat of Rassie van der Dussen who was rightly given the Player of the Match.
The resources we had today was used perfectly but yet we couldn’t deliver what could have been the perfect start for our SA20 2024 season. We are yet to open our account as our rivals, MI Cape Town, have now opened their account after having lost the first game due to Duckworth Lewis.
Rassie van der Dussen dominated MI batting along with Rickleton
MI Cape Town’s innings was a feast of aggressive but organized batting. Rassie van der Dussen tonked or rather decimated the pace with a blistering innings of 104 runs off just 50 balls, at an impressive strike rate, including nine boundaries and six towering sixes.
He was joined in the carnage by Ryan Rickelton who caused equal damage with a 48-ball 98, that were full of powerful and graceful strokes that included six boundaries and eight sixes.
MICT’s first wicket only fell in the 17th over as they finished their innings at a humongous total of 243.
Marking the Bowling Highlights from Super Kings
The Super Kings had their moments with the ball despite MI Cape Town’s awesome display of batting. Nandre Burger rose to be among the stars, taking two significant wickets for 53 runs. Lizaad Williams and Romario Shepherd also contributed a wicket apiece.
However, the strong MI Cape Town batting attack took them to a difficult total of 243/5 in their allotted overs of twenty and left Super Kings with an unattainable mark.
Super Kings’ Chasing Woes continue
Chasing a target of 244 runs, the Super Kings began contentiously that saw Reeza Hendricks going back to the pavilion for a second ball duck. Skipper, Faf du Plessis also failed early and scored only 6 runs.
From 29 for 3 there seemed to be no way out and the result became fairly evident. The shining light amidst the starless sky, Leus De Plooy stood tall and scored 48 runs off 24 balls. Unfortunately it was not much when the wickets continued to fall in the other end.
MI Cape Town’s bowlers demonstrated discipline and efficiency as they defended their intimidating total without any bumps. George Linde headed the bowling department, taking two important wickets for only 25 runs. Beuran Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada and Liam Livingstone each bagged a wicket to add more misery for the Super Kings.
They didn’t have to try much as the game was virtually over in the opening half itself and the second innings was nothing less than a formality.
Key Moments and Turning Points of JSK vs MICT:
– Rassie van der Dussen blasted a century for MI Cape Town’s massive total.
– Joburg Super Kings initially struggled to withstand early wickets, losing key batsmen in regular intervals.
– Fielding lapses of the Super Kings. Missed run out opportunities, midfield and most importantly the dropped chance of Rassie at deep mid wicket. We were very rusty in the field that cost us the match.
Rassie van der Dussen’s sensational hundred esrned him the Player of the Match. An aggressive yet calculated innings that led MI Cape Town to dominate the game.
MI Cape Town performed both brilliantly while batting and bowling to seize a decisive victory. Meanwhile, we had issues in both departments which could be reflections of our areas for improvement.
We went into this game with enough bowling options at the helm and still somehow managed to not restrict them. Since this is our second game and with our first match getting called off due to unprecedented rains, we could term this as a one off but no derby should get overlooked. Lack of gameplan and execution in the field cost us heavily. Our heavy reliance on spinners alone without a plan b was exposed. Hopefully, we show up with the same squad for the next game and till the end of this season to uplift the culture of trusting names. Kudos to Leus Du Plooy and Romario Shepherd for their heroics but it’s time we shrugged this off our shoulders and went forward. Cheers, all good!
