Cape Town: Ryan Rickelton’s maiden SA20 hundred lit up the opening night of Season 4 at Newlands, but it wasn’t enough to prevent MI Cape Town from slipping to a 15-run loss against Durban’s Super Giants in a high-scoring contest.Runs flowed freely on a pulsating first day of the season, with 449 runs scored, alongside 25 sixes and 40 boundaries. Rickelton’s 113 off 65 balls took MICT deep into the chase, but DSG’s imposing 232/5 total proved too far.
Batting first, DSG laid the foundation to the big score through their all-New Zealand opening pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. The duo dominated the Powerplay, flying off to 96 inside nine overs. Conway led the charge with a fluent 64 off 33 balls before being dismissed by Trent Boult.Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen ensured there was no let-up, striking quick-fire cameos to keep the momentum rolling. Any hope of slowing the scoring was dashed when Aiden Markram and Evan Jones launched a brutal late assault. Markram smashed 35 from just 17 deliveries, while Jones finished unbeaten on 33 off 14 balls as Durban powered past 230.MI Cape Town’s reply revolved almost entirely around Rickelton. While Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks fell cheaply, the left-hander continued to find the boundary with authority, cutting, driving and pulling with confidence.
Kane Williamson scored a 25-ball 40 at the top of the order for Durban’s Super Giants. Williamson and Devon Conway (64 from 33 balls) stitched a 96-run partnership. (Image: SA20)
The chase briefly surged when debutant Jason Smith exploded onto the scene, hammering an electrifying 41 off just 14 balls to swing momentum back towards the home side. But Durban struck at crucial moments, removing Smith, Nicholas Pooran and Dwaine Pretorius in the closing overs to keep the equation in check.Rickelton was handed a crucial reprieve on 85 when Kwena Maphaka overstepped, overturning a catch in the deep. The lifeline allowed him to bring up a memorable century, keeping MI Cape Town’s hopes alive until the final over.Needing 22 from the last six balls, Durban seamer Eathan Bosch kept his composure under pressure, dismissing Rickelton and closing out the game to seal a dramatic opening-night victory for the Super Giants.Double-header action today (December 27): Pretoria Capitals vs Durban’s Super Giants at 4:30 PM IST; Paarl Royals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape at 9:00 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.
