(Football news) The Joburg Super Kings maintained their momentum in the build-up to the Betway SA20 semi-finals with a convincing bonus point 76-run victory over MI Cape Town at the Wanderers on Monday evening. MI Cape Town’s season, however, ended on a disappointing note. The Newlands-based team were already eliminated from the competition prior to the clash against the Super Kings, but slipped to yet another defeat to finish in last position.
Simon Katich’s team will rue a couple of last-over finishes that could have changed the complexion of the season, but ultimately they will have to ponder about how they are going to improve next season. The Joburg Super Kings, meanwhile, can look forward to their upcoming semi-final with confidence. The victory setup by Leus de Plooy 81 not out powered the home team to 189/6. Du Plooy received solid support from Australian T20 World Cup winner Matthew Wade, who carved out 40 off just 18 balls.
MI Cape Town had started well with the ball by picking up three wickets in the Powerplay through George Linde (1/16) and Sam Curran (2/26). In fact, Linde dismissed the tournament’s leading scorer and Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis with the first delivery of the innings, courtesy of a brilliant diving catch by MICT captain Rashid Khan.MI Cape Town’s reply, however, stuttered from the start with none of their batters being able to capitalise on a good start. Rassie van der Dussen made 20, while Grant Roelofsen managed 21.Young Dewald Brevis fought a lone hand at the backend of the innings, but ultimately the Super Kings bowling and fielding were too good for MI Cape Town on the night.
Left-arm spinner Kyle Simmons (3/23) impressed again with another three-wicket haul, while Gerald Coetzee’s wicket-tally continues to bulge with figures of 3/27. Maheesh Theekshana was equally impressive with 2/16 as MI Cape Town folded for 113 all out. The Super Kings entrenched their second position on the Betway SA20 table with 27 points – equal to that of the table-topping Pretoria Capitals who have a superior net run-rate.
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