MI Cape Town electrified a packed Newlands on Saturday evening with a dominant bonus-point victory over Durban’s Super Giants, thrilling fans with a clinical all-round performance.
A scintillating opening stand between Ryan Rickelton (63 off 41 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (24 off 18 balls) laid the foundation for the chase of 150. Dewald Brevis (26 not out off 16 balls) and George Linde (29 not out off eight balls) finished the job with 5.1 overs to spare.
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Linde, whose all-round brilliance included bowling figures of 1 for 20 and a whirlwind cameo, attributed his form to a fresh perspective: “I took a nice long break away from cricket because mentally I wasn’t there anymore. Spending time with family and friends brought back the hunger, and now I’m just enjoying cricket with a smile on my face.”
Reflecting on MI Cape Town’s resurgence, he credited the team’s cohesion and the return of Rashid Khan as captain: “There’s a different vibe in the camp. Rashid knows the players well, and you can see the hunger to succeed, especially after the tough past seasons. We owe it to ourselves and the fans.”
On his explosive batting, Linde noted his calmness under pressure: “The game always tells you what to do. I focus on what the team needs from me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I trust my experience and instincts.”
Durban’s Super Giants, meanwhile, continued to struggle. Despite a valiant 121-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen (66 off 43 balls) and Kane Williamson (56 not out off 44 balls) after a disastrous start at 22 for 4, the team fell short.
Coach Lance Klusener acknowledged the disappointment: “At 22 for 4, it’s tough. Klaasen and Williamson’s partnership was outstanding, but overall, our batters haven’t been consistent. If they don’t score, the bowlers are always under pressure. It’s a challenge in franchise cricket – you hope players are in form, and when they’re not, it’s a battle.”
MI Cape Town’s balance and depth have been pivotal, as Klusener observed: “Their bowling attack is outstanding, and their top order is firing. That’s why they’re excelling.”
The victory not only solidified MI Cape Town’s strong season but also highlighted their determination to deliver for their fans, as Linde summarised: “We’re playing for ourselves, the franchise, and the people who support us. It’s been a special season so far.”
