Seven wins, five of them bonus points, and a top of the table finish to this year’s SA20. It’s been some turnaround, and Head Coach Robin Peterson, can take a lot of pride in the group. After MI Cape Town’s final league game, he was at the post-match press conference speaking about a range of topics. Excerpts.. 

On what worked well for MICT this season

I just think we have added a few experienced players to the dressing room this year, so there is a bit of calm there, a bit of leadership alongside getting Rashid Khan back. He has been outstanding in the background. Guys like Rassie, Ryan, Colin Ingram, Dane Piedt, I can speak of the whole squad here. They want to win. They want to support each other. They take nothing for granted. They are just enjoying cricket and each others’ company, which is the biggest difference in the last two years. 

On qualifying for the playoffs after two years 

It does feel a lot better. The owners and the management above me have put a lot of effort into the team. They support the boys. There is a big week ahead. We haven’t been here in two years. It’s exciting times as a group. Everybody is jumping up to go on Tuesday. 

On the batting conditions this season  

The conditions have been challenging. But as batters, I think, sometimes you limit yourselves a little bit. You have to find ways to put big totals on the board. We try to get a match-winning total with the bat. That’s something the batters have bought in to. It is come from last year. Guys like Rassie and Ricks continued in that fashion this year. Guys like Reeza, Brevis, playing the way he is, George Linde, have really stepped it up this season. Probably would be different in playoffs. Sometimes you have be more pragmatic in certain situations, but the DNA of this team is to be attacking and they should never leave that for the next week. 

Thoughts on Dane Piedt, the team man 

Piedt has brought in is experience. He is a winner. He is a Cape Town player and understands the conditions. That always helps. He brings the energy in every single game for the boys. Sometimes when they are tired and have to play the next game, the dugout is absolutely energetic because of Dane Piedt and how he drags the guys with him. He has added a lot more than taking just 3/20 today. For the whole tournament he has been our standout performer even though he’s played just one game. 

On how the players on the bench managed to perform so well 

It's confidence. That is rubbing off on each other. You don’t see the hardwork they put in day in and day out even though they aren’t playing, in the gyms, in the data analysis rooms. To give them the opportunity today, as the Head Coach, is something you are pleased about because it is not only about lifting the trophy. It is a squad effort. We truly now believe that everyone has played a role in getting us there. 

On this being Dewald Brevis’ breakthrough season 

I’ve seen glimpses of it in the Major Cricket League in America. He carried us through to the final. He is capable of doing special things with the bat. Dewald, as a young guy, things happened quickly for him. Sometimes you have to fall and get back on the bike. You can see, talking to him, the way he prepares and the maturity in his batting and bowling. It can only happen from young guys falling, learning harsh lessons and coming back stronger. That’s testament to his resilience. He has a long way to go. He can be a brilliant player not just for South Africa, but even for us going forward.

Whether having a lot of players from up North will help the team in the playoffs 

It’s on the day. If we get to the Final, we have a lot of Lions players in our team. It just happened organically to be honest. There was no pre-planned acquisition behind getting them. A lot of guys have developed their game in the last two years to be honest. The country guys have learnt how to play in the coast and the coastal guys have learnt how to play in the country. That experience will stand us in good stead going forward. Hopefully my local knowledge of St. George’s Park might give us the edge. But we are up against a formidable opponent against Paarl Royals, who also have something good going on in their environment. It’s going to be a tough game on Tuesday, but the guys are looking forward to it. 

On what has worked in the team environment 

I’ve been here for a while. The franchise knows Tristan (Luus). The franchise was trying to get a game for their rookie, which they managed now. Once you get clear about your role and there is communication and alignment, whether you are the 18^th or the sixth player in your team, it’s a very valuable thing. It showed today. You can just bring people in and still feel confident of getting the job done. We didn’t feel like we were weakening the team by any stretch of imagination. We felt like we were re-energizing the group going into this week and glad it paid off. 

On having a lot of experience in the squad 

It’s always great to have a lot of experience. Colin Ingram, Matthew Potts, who has played international cricket, come in with a wealth of experience. They know it is important that we don’t just go through the motions and try to win it regardless of the amount of changes we made. Rashid’s leadership has been instrumental to be honest. The way he has grown into the position as the season has gone on, I can take my hat off. He wanted to play at Newlands in the last game at home, but he sacrificed his position so that Thomas Kaber can play, and it speaks volumes of his leadership in the team. 

On creating a leadership group

Firstly players are going to want to be a part of that. A lot of meetings, a lot of get-togethers, communication, getting guys aligned on what is required on the day, was needed. Everybody added their value, guys like KG (Rabada) and Trent Boult. Sometimes it is robust conversation, but it is part if you want to win anything. You have to get to the crux of what is bothering you and what needs to change quickly. You want to be flexible. It is something that’s worked really nicely for us. 

Thoughts on the tight scheduling 

Definitely more space would be helpful. That’s one of the challenges of the tournament. The scheduling, the planning, the breaks adds an extra dimension to the thought process. But I do feel a little bit of downtime would be helpful. That is why we were provided the opportunity to rest some of our guys today, thinking ahead. If things don’t go to plan on Tuesday, we might have to play three games in five days. That was also a part of our thought process besides giving guys an opportunity.