MI Cape Town cruise past Royals into first-ever SA20 final

MI Cape Town made history at St George’s Park on Tuesday evening when they beat the Paarl Royals by 39 runs in Qualifier 1 to book their first-ever appearance in Saturday’s SA20 final at the Wanderers.

MI Cape Town topped and tailed their innings to post a hugely-impressive 199/4.

After being sent into bat after the Royals captain David Miller won the toss, MI Cape Town’s in-form opening pair Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen immediately seized the momentum.

The duo were devastating from the outset as they raced to 66 without loss in the Powerplay. It was in complete contrast to what has transpired at St George’s Park throughout the league season with the previous best being the Sunrisers’ 50/2 last Saturday against the Royals.

Both Van der Dussen (40 of 32 balls) and Rickelton (44 off 27 balls) got hold of teenager Kwena Maphaka with boundaries flowing freely off their swinging willows. Van der Dussen’s six over deep mid wicket off the final ball of the fourth over was particularly special with the right-hander completing a “flamingo” flourish.

After a relatively sedate start to his spell, Royals left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin also came under pressure as he conceded 20 runs off his third over with the MI Cape Town pair now scoring freely all round the ground.

However, the Royals hit back with a triple strike for the addition of just six runs to leave MI Cape Town at 93/3. MI Cape Town were, however, not going to waste their early advantage with George Linde joining the promoted Dewald Brevis.

Coach Robin Peterson employed the tactic of having a left-right combination at the crease throughout with Reeza Hendricks slipping all the way down the order.

Linde injected fresh energy into the MI Cape Town innings with three maximums in a 14-ball 26. This set up a rollicking end with an unbroken 74-run stand off just 32 balls to propel MI Cape Town to the highest total at St George’s Park this season.

The Royals required a positive start to their run chase and it was provided by Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Mitchell Owen smashed Trent Boult for 21 runs off the very first over. But unfortunately the Royals could not sustain the early momentum with Kagiso Rabada making the incisive breakthrough by having Pretorius (15 off 6 balls) caught behind.

From thereon the scoreboard pressure weighed heavily on the Royals shoulders as Trevor Penney’s team were left to contemplate a trip back up the Highveld for a second chance to reach the final on Thursday in eliminator at Centurion.

Miller played a lone innings with 45 off 26 balls, but once he departed the Royals innings folded to 160 all out.

MI Cape Town have earned a well-deserved rest and now put their feet up for three days as they wait to see who their opponents will be on Saturday in the grand final at the Wanderers.