MICTvDSG report: No, no, nooo!! Rickelton magic falls short by the barest of margins

Nearly. So, so nearly. We get within touching distance in a record 233-run chase, in a brave fight right until the end, refusing to give up and making sure the asking rate never went out of control, but alas, it isn’t to be. MI Cape Town Fam, we can be proud of this effort, but sadly don’t have the two points to show at the end of it.. 

RYAN RICKELTON, YOU BEAUTY!

Sheer career-defining stuff this. It’s not that the SA20 needed some extra lighting up, but Ryan Rickelton was in the mood. A brilliant 113 off just 63 balls with five fours and a whopping 11 sixes. Battling it out right till the last over, having the finish line in sight. He put up a masterclass in clean hitting. 

MICT were 32/1 after five overs, and needed a major injection of momentum. Enter, Ryan. With two consecutive sixes off Eathan Bosch, he signaled his intentions. His fifty came up off 31 balls, the century off 57. Spin, seam, change ups, nothing was spared. 22 runs were needed off the final over, Ryan had the strike too. We believed. Alas. He holed out first ball, and our hopes sunk, but he filled our hearts with pride. 

“It really was unbelievable. He’s known for playing innings like that - taking a bit of time early on, reading the conditions, and then accelerating. The way he handled both spin and pace was outstanding. That was easily one of the best innings you’ll see,” said skipper Rashid Khan in the post-match chat. 

Reeza, Jason chip in with useful cameos 

After Rassie van der Dussen fell early, Reeza Hendricks joined Rickelton in steadying the chase. His 21-ball 28 set the chase in order, but it was Jason Smith’s 14-ball 41 where things really took off. With the asking rate well over 17-an-over, he not only brought it down to around the 14s, but put immense pressure on the DSG bowlers. 

A tough night with the ball, but Boult does Boult things 

The pitch was an absolute belter and with the season-beginning bounce to aid as well, stroke-making was a delight. Trent Boult and the new ball are a match made in heaven, and he produced a dream ball first up: angling in, nipping away and beating Devon Conway’s defence. He was also the pick of the bowlers, coming back to get rid of a rampant Conway, with George Linde chipping in with a couple of wickets as MI Cape Town pulled things back a touch in the middle overs after Durban were off to a flier.