EPIC TRIUMPH MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson has explained how his side went from bottom of the log to champions in the SA20. Picture: Shaun Roy/SportzPics
Image: Shaun Roy/SportzPics
The whipping boys of the SA20 no longer, MI Cape Town’s (MICT) journey from the bottom of the log to champions is truly remarkable, and coach Robin Peterson has explained just how they achieved the feat.
MICT finished last in the group stages of the SA20 in the first two editions, and simply making the play-offs would have been huge progress.
Instead, they first topped the log with seven wins from 10 matches before dispatching the number two side in the competition - Paarl Royals - in the first qualifier.
Then in the final, the champions of the first two editions - Sunrisers Eastern Cape - were no match for MICT.
A 76-run win for MICT completed one of the biggest turnarounds in the local game, and it was achieved with Peterson at the helm.
"There was no rocket science to it. We were just a bunch of guys who enjoyed each other's company and wanted to win the tournament,” said Peterson.
Manchester United came close to firing Alex Ferguson in the first couple years he was in charge, as they transformed into the one of the most dominant football clubs in the world in the following years.
Peterson referenced Ferguson when he explained his side’s approach.
"You need characters. You can hear [Sir] Alex Ferguson even say it. You need leaders and strong characters and that's what we had in abundance this year.
“Everybody stuck their hand up. These franchise tournaments are always tricky. There's no formula to it, at the end of the day, every group is different."
"The new recruits were great. Having Rashid [Khan] back for the third edition was instrumental to our success and adding guys with the experience of Trent Boult, Colin Ingram and Dane Piedt.”
Peterson went onto explain how the Afghanistan star Khan was able to rally the troops.
"Rashid is a humble guy, first and foremost. He's an inspirational leader, he leads by example and is a very approachable guy. So, guys responded to him. I've seen a lot of growth in Rashid as a captain.
“I saw it last year in the Major League and with him coming here I didn't want him any different as a leader. I told him not to captain this team differently to Afghanistan, to bring your strengths to the party and he did that."
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