Synopsis
MI Cape Town showcased their dominance in SA20 by defeating Pretoria Capitals, establishing an unbeaten record at Newlands. With a remarkable performance, they concluded the league phase with a record points tally, showcasing exceptional skills both in batting and bowling.Key Takeaways
- MI Cape Town finished with 35 points, a league record.
- The team maintained an unbeaten home record with five victories.
- Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen set a solid foundation with a 133-run partnership.
- Dane Piedt's impressive bowling earned him the Player of the Match title.
- The team looks forward to the upcoming qualifier against Paarl Royals.
Cape Town, Feb 3 (NationPress) MI Cape Town solidified their position as the SA20 leaders for season 3 by achieving a resounding bonus-point victory against the Pretoria Capitals, concluding their flawless record at Newlands.
Under the guidance of coach Robin Peterson, the team mirrored the success of the Paarl Royals by becoming the second team to maintain an unbeaten home record, securing five wins at the base of Table Mountain.
MI Cape Town wrapped up the league phase with an impressive 35 points - a record total - following their 95-run triumph over the Capitals.
Even with six changes to their squad, the home side exhibited dominance right from the start.
The new opening duo, Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen, showcased MI Cape Town's remarkable depth with a breathtaking 133-run partnership for the first wicket.
Left-handed batsman Sediqullah thrilled the Newlands audience with a flamboyant 77 off just 46 balls, while Esterhuizen contributed a solid 69 from 43 deliveries.
Delano Potgieter added valuable runs with a quick 26 off 15 balls, propelling MI to a total of 201/5 - the highest score recorded at Newlands this season.
The momentum carried over to MI Cape Town's bowling attack, with off-spinner Dane Piedt dramatically dismissing Capitals opener Will Jacks on the very first ball of the innings.
Piedt, making his Betway SA20 debut for his hometown team, celebrated joyously by sprinting towards the Railway Stand.
The seasoned spinner excelled, taking two more wickets to end with remarkable figures of 3/28, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.
“It has been incredible. I grew up here, playing in front of my wife, son, and parents. I keep the guys motivated, aiming to create a positive environment for them to express themselves. Watching from a distance has been a journey, but this is what we've been striving for. You can't drop a Man of the Match,” Piedt expressed.
The MI Cape Town spin attack was formidable, with leg-spinner Thomas Kaber claiming 3-21, while left-arm spinner George Linde added 2-11 to the mix.
In total, the spin trio achieved 8-60, bowling out the Capitals for a mere 106 runs in just 14 overs.
“The support has been amazing. The crowd has been fantastic. The initial two years were challenging, but it’s satisfying to witness the crowd's enthusiasm. The team truly appreciates the backing,” stated stand-in captain Colin Ingram.
“We have skilled players fulfilling their roles. The left-right batting combination creates opportunities on both sides of the wicket. We've witnessed outstanding performances. The bowlers have been phenomenal, feeding off each other’s energy. We're looking to perform well on Tuesday,” he added.
MI Cape Town is set to travel to Gqeberha to face the Paarl Royals in Qualifier 1 at St George’s Park on Tuesday, with the winner advancing directly to the final at the Wanderers on February 8.
