After blazing through the chase with a knock of 89 off just 39 balls, Ryan Rickelton, South Africa’s latest batting sensation, was out at the press-conference on the back of MI Cape Town’s massive win over the Joburg Super Kings. Excerpts…

On missing out on the last game

I got Covid, so I was man down for about 4-5 days and then had my hamstring after the Test match. So I needed those extra days to recover. But I feel a lot better and am fir to play. 

On thinking of winning with a  bonus point

We were just trying to win the game. We knew the spinners were going to be quite tough so we just looked to put pressure on them. When I managed to get a big over off Jones, I thought we got closer. But I still didn’t think of it until those two sixes off (Matheesha) Pathirana. Every point is valuable. Hopefully it holds us in good stead. 

On his current form

I don’t think you ever have complete control. The first part of the game, I was a bit nervous and edgy. I had a long hit yesterday for about two hours to find my groove. I felt comfortable so that I could be confident. I wouldn’t have expected to go as hard as I did today, but luckily Rassie (van der Dussen) takes that early risk, giving me time to get going. I look to play the ball as best as I see it. I am a lot more calmer in my T20 game now and have a bit of a blueprint. Just enjoying batting to be honest. 

On what would have been a par score 

The conditions are changing. South Africa is always changing. The weather up north is not great. In T20 cricket you just want good wickets. Only in Pretoria, maybe, you get 200+ all the time. Maybe 180 would have looked a very different chase out there. It looked like we got the bonus point and it went easily, but it is the intent you have to play with to put yourself in that situation. South Africa is one place where you can get 150 in Paarl and win comfortably. As batters when those days come when the wicket is good, you have to try and cash in as much as you can, because you know the tougher, harder wickets like we saw in Durban last night are around the corner too. 

Thoughts on him playing all three formats now

I have always felt I can be an all format player. It’s not the easiest thing to do. But I am learning different formats can require different techniques, different mentalities. That was the learning for me coming from the last Test match into my first game against Paarl. I was found wanting there. But having watched footage of what worked well and what alignments looked like, I had to make one or two adjustments. I just want to be consistent. It is hard to be a three format player nowadays, but if you look at the guys who are doing well, like Travis Head or the (Rishabh) Pants, they play pretty much the same way in all three formats. So you try and be consistent in how you want to play the game and the conditions and situations make you adjust just slightly from format to format. 

On MI Cape Town gaining momentum

I heard today, our physio said that this time last year we were two from two and then the downward spiral happened. So a bit of emphasis today from guys who’ve been here all three seasons, when Faf got going, we thought ‘here we go again’. We really need to win two on the bounce just to give us proper momentum. We missed that opportunity in Paarl the other day to kick us ahead and give us that momentum. But you aren’t going to win everything. Durban is a massive impetus for us. They are a really good team and they are looking to bounce back. If we can get two on the bounce, just create that winning habit and culture, we are up for that. The team is gelling well, the guys are clicking really nicely. From the inside it feels different this year and there is a good thing next. 

On Reeza Hendricks’ bowling

He was nervous as hell to bowl (laughs). He knows he could come up especially when there are a lot of left handers in the opposition. He is not a massive turner of the ball but even while playing at the Lions, he’s got that golden arm. We looked to give him a soft over and to pick up those wickets is a massive bonus. He’s a lot better than we give him credit for (laughs).

Thoughts on South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad 

Even though we lost of Pakistan recently, the guys are phenomenal players. It is the team that has been backed. Obviously I would love to play but right now, I got this to focus on. If I do well here I get the best shot. Not looking too far ahead, but the focus is this month.