In the first match, defending champions MI Cape Town faced Durban Super Giants, where the Durban team registered a thrilling victory. Fans got to see a lot of fours and sixes in this match and both the teams together scored 449 runs in the match, which is the second highest record of runs scored in any SA20 match.
High scoring match and century in the first match of the season
During this, the first century of the season was seen from the bat of MI Cape Town opener Ryan Rickelton, but he could not lead the team to victory.Durban Super Giants posted a strong total of 232 runs in 20 overs. Durban’s innings was founded by a 96-run opening partnership between Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. Conway scored 64 runs, and Williamson contributed 40 runs. Aiden Markram then played a quickfire 35 runs, helping the team’s score rise rapidly. Heinrich Klaasen, Evan Jones, and David Wiese also played short but explosive innings.
Meanwhile, George Linde took two wickets for MI Cape Town.defending champions MI Cape Town didn’t have a good start, with early wickets adding to the pressure. Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for 28, while Rassie van der Dussen managed just 2. Nicholas Pooran also departed for 15. However, Ryan Rickelton held one end together, scoring a blistering 113 off just 63 balls, including 5 fours and 11 sixes. This is the most sixes in an innings in SA20. Rickelton also shared a crucial 76-run partnership with Jason Smith, with Smith scoring 41 off 14 balls.
However, the pressure increased in the final overs. Only 15 runs were scored in the final two overs, and three wickets fell. As a result, MI Cape Town could only manage 217 for 7 in 20 overs, losing by 15 runs. Young Durban bowler Ethan Bosch turned the match around with a four-wicket haul, and Kwena Mphaka also bowled tightly in the final overs.
As a result, the Durban Super Giants, who finished at the bottom of the points table last season, started their season with a win.