It was yet another full house at the majestic Newlands as MICT played their final home game of the tournament. Another day of bumping into crowds and crowds of people while making my way past the oaks to the stands to soak up the incredible vibes.
There were different shades of a blue Monday at Newlands but it was the Pretoria Capitals who left victorious as they put their loss against a Paarl behind them and channelled l their bounce-back ability to extend their lead at the top of the table with a stellar 52-run victory over MICT.
Capitals got off to a whirlwind of a start entertaining start, scoring a massive 84 without loss in the powerplay which set the game up for the visitors with both their openers making the fielding side pay duly for dropping them in the first two overs.
Will Jacks raced along to a spectacular 19-ball half-century hitting Rabada and Curran to all parts of the ground and eventually Odean Smith ended the carnage and got his wicket for a 27-ball 62. His opening partnership with Kusal Mendis set up the game for their side.
MICT skipper finally showed his worth after a quiet tournament thus far, finishing with 3-16. Rashid Khan redeemed himself after dropping Mendis off the second ball of the innings. Jofra Archer too picked up 3 wickets as Pretoria Capitals scored 182 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Wayne Parnell continued a brilliant tournament as he picked up 3-14 to bowl MICT out for 130. He picked up two in the 17th over to dampen the hopes of the home side as fans in the North Stand decided that was their cue to beat the traffic rush as the match was more or less dead and buried at this point.
Once again young Dewald Brevis lit up the ground and entertained their fans with a marvellous 46 albeit in vain.
That was all she wrote at Newlands for the inaugural SA20. After the international break, they’ll be on the road in their remaining fixtures which will be vital for their chances to make the top 4.
