Ryan Rickelton's ton can't save MI Cape Town as Durban's Super Giants off to a winning SA20 start

Durban’s Super Giants held their nerve to beat defending champions MI Cape Town by 15 runs in a thrilling Betway SA20 Season 4 opening game at Newlands on Friday evening. 

DSG posted a record 232/5 before Ryan Rickelton’s 113 pushed MI Cape Town to 217/5. But with 22 runs required off the final over, Eathan Bosch, who was DSG’s most successful bowler on the night with 4/46, removed Rickelton with the first ball to end the home team’s chances. 

It also brought MI Cape Town’s victory streak at Newlands to a close after they went unbeaten last season. 

DSG’s total was built upon an explosive opening partnership between Devon Conway (64 off 40 balls) and Kane Williamson (40 off 25 balls). The Kiwi duo put MI Cape Town’s bowling attack, who was missing their spearhead Kagiso Rabada through injury, under pressure from the outset. 

The pair put on 96 from just 52 deliveries and from thereon it allowed Jos Buttler (20) and Heinrich Klaasen (22) to deliver cameos to maintain the momentum. 

But it was Aiden Markram’s 35 off 17 balls and Evan Jones’ unbeaten 33 not out off 14 balls that propelled DSG to the highest score at the venerable venue.

Rickelton was also the focus point of the run-chase after Rassie van der Dussen (2) and Reeza Hendricks (28) fell cheaply, but he found an able partner in Jason Smith. 

Back in Cape Town for the first time in Betway SA20, Smith entertained the home crowd with an exhilarating 41 off just 14 balls (4x4, 3x6). 

But it was his demise that left it all to Rickelton again with Nicholas Pooran and Dwaine Pretorius unable to maintain the momentum. 

The Newlands faithful roared when Rickelton was called back on 85 when Kwena Maphaka overstepped, but although the left-hander went on to raise his bat upon reaching his century, it was DSG who had the last laugh when Bosch closed out the contest.