SA20: Ryan Rickelton continues love affair with Newlands as MI Cape Town roll on

Just days after hitting 259 in Test match against Pakistan at the picturesque venue, Rickelton once again treated the capacity crowd in Cape Town to his superb stroke play, bludgeoning 89 off just 39 balls to make a mockery of a 173-run target.

The left-handed Proteas batter put on a 70-run opening partnership in 6.4 overs with Rassie van der Dussen (39 off 24 balls) to kick-start the run-chase under lights.

Rickelton, who hit eight fours and six maximums, then added a further 92 for the second wicket with Reeza Hendricks (34 not out off 28 balls) that effectively sealed the contest.

The 28-year-old Rickelton was dismissed with nine runs still needed for victory and walked off to standing ovation from the Newlands faithful, who has now taken the batter as one of their own.

MI Cape Town hit the winning runs off the penultimate ball of the 16th over which meant they also get a bonus-point and cemented their place at the top of the SA20 table.

The Super Kings had earlier lost their way after a brilliant start with the bat given to them by captain Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway, the opening duo putting on 97 off 11 overs but could only reach a total  of 172-5 in the allotted overs.

Du Plessis struck 61 from 38 balls while New Zealand international Conway hit 35 but were dismissed within six balls of each other to spark a collapse and the scoring-rate dropping alarmingly.

It was the part-time off-spin of Hendricks that did the most damage with the ball as the slow-bowler returned figures of 2-7 in two overs.

Jonny Bairstow provided a late cameo with an unbeaten 43 off 27 balls to lift the visitors over the 170-run mark but ultimately proved to be not enough on the night.

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