MI Cape Town and the Paarl Royals will contest the 11th match of the 2024 SA20 on Friday. Paarl and Cape Town currently occupy first and fourth position, respectively, on the six-team points table.
MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town will go into this match on the back of victory over the Joburg Super Kings, but defeats to Durban’s Super Giants and the Eastern Cape Sunrisers. Cape Town ended the 2023 SA20 at the bottom of the points table and are in danger of returning to that position here.
They have an absolute gem in opener Ryan Rickelton, who has emerged as the leading run-scorer overall this tournament with consecutive innings of 87, 98 and 58. There is not a lot of theatre to his shot selection and stroke play – just good value and followthrough.
Cape Town also have the second-highest run-scorer in the 2024 SA20 so far in Rickelton’s opening partner – Rassie van der Dussen. The pair have been dominant at the top of the order and could be in for another explosive combination here. They put on 108 for the first wicket the last time MI Cape Town played at Newlands.
Bowling-wise, fast bowlers Olly Stone and Kagiso Rabada have delivered three wickets each for MI Cape Town this season. Stone shook off a disappointing start to the tournament and has held his own alongside veritable cricket superstar Rabada. Captain Kieron Pollard has broken some key partnerships with his occasional seam.
Paarl Royals
The Paarl Royals, like Durban’s Super Giants, are still undefeated this SA20 season. They have won three matches in a row – against the Pretoria Capitals twice and Joburg Super Kings. A fourth consecutive victory would really consolidate their status among the title favourites.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been their standout performer. He has raced to eight wickets in three matches in the SA20 this year. Averaging almost three wickets per match is a tremendous effort in this format. Ngidi also has one of the best economy rates of 6.68 in this season’s tournament.
Batting trio Jos Buttler, David Miller and Mitchell van Buuren have been firing collectively and individually for the Royals. Buttler has been solid at the top of the order, collecting the most runs for Paarl this season. He has hit 123 in three innings, including 70 not out against the Joburg Super Kings recently.
Paarl also have arguably the best all-rounder and left-arm wrist spinner in the tournament. Andile Phehlukwayo has been putting in big performances with bat and ball, while Tabraiz Shamsi’s extra turn and bounce could pose a significant challenge for the Cape Town batters.
