Ryan Rickelton etched his name into SA20 history by becoming the first batter to score multiple centuries in the tournament as defending champions MI Cape Town registered a commanding 36-run victory over Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers, emphatically reigniting their campaign.
Rickelton was at his destructive best, matching his career-high score with an unbeaten 113 off 60 balls, an innings laced with eight fours and nine sixes. His knock powered MI Cape Town to a massive 234/3, a total that proved well beyond Joburg Super Kings despite a spirited chase.
Openers Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen laid the foundation with a blistering 129-run partnership in just 10.2 overs, rekindling memories of their record-breaking 200-run opening stand from two seasons ago. Van der Dussen played the perfect foil, hammering 65 off 32 balls to put the Super Kings under early pressure.
Although MI Cape Town’s middle order, including Nicholas Pooran and Jason Smith, failed to fully capitalise on the strong start, Rickelton ensured the momentum was not lost. He tore into Nandre Burger with a flurry of boundaries and a towering six to bring up his century in just 55 balls. Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat provided late impetus, finishing unbeaten on 20 off just 11 deliveries.
In response, Joburg Super Kings were dealt an early blow as captain Faf du Plessis was unable to bat. Michael Pepper was promoted to open on his SA20 debut, but his stay was short-lived after Kagiso Rabada successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision early in the third over.
Rabada, along with George Linde, then ripped through the Super Kings’ top order, removing Matthew de Villiers and Wiaan Mulder inside the Powerplay. The chase threatened to unravel before James Vince and young talent Dian Forrester attempted a rebuild with a 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Vince played a valiant knock of 77 off 43 balls, striking 10 fours and three sixes, but his dismissal shifted the momentum back in MI Cape Town’s favour. Forrester fought bravely till the end, scoring an unbeaten 80 off 42 balls, but lacked support as Joburg Super Kings finished on 198/5.
Earlier, MI Cape Town’s bowlers kept things tight, with George Linde returning figures of 2/30 and Rabada picking up 2/34 to seal a comprehensive win.
Also Read: 'RoKo reloaded': Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli switch on beast mode ahead of New Zealand ODIs
