MI CAPE TOWN TO REPAY NEWLANDS FAITHFUL
Newlands Cricket Ground, the home of this year’s Betway SA20 final, will get into the domestic t20 cricket for the first time this season.
MI Cape Town will host defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Tuesday 16 January.
The Cape Town-based franchise will be looking to build on an impressive 98-run win over the Joburg Super Kings on Saturday. The innings featured a blistering 104 runs off 50 balls from Rassie van der Dussen.
That victory was a great step in overcoming a a narrow 11 run loss on DLS in a rain-affected game against Durban’s Super Giants at Kingsmead last week.
Robin Peterson’s side will be hoping to take the performance into their home opener against the reigning champions.
“I think the middle-order power we have in the team will serve us really well in the tournament,” said all-rounder Liam Livingstone after the game.
“You always want more. You look back and think what we could have done better. But the rain I think ruined what could have been a really good finish (against the Durban Super Giants). It is a good start to the tournament, there is a long way to go. It’s not about how you start but how you finish.”
REDEMPTION
MI Cape Town will be looking for a strong finish in season 2 of the Betway SA20 and redemption against Sunrisers Eastern Cape having lost both games to the Gqeberha-based side in season 1.
Having roped in West Indies legend Kieron Pollard, MI Cape Town is determined to reverse last season’s fortunes. The experienced Pollard replaced injured Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
“I’m coming in to try and make a difference, obviously from a team perspective we didn’t do as well as we thought we should have [last season]. I just want to come and give the fans something to cheer about,” said MI Cape Town captain Pollard.
If last season’s figures are anything to go by, Newlands Cricket Ground is expected to have full crowds for this year’s edition.
The stadium will host five MI Cape Town home games between 16 January and 3 February 2024. It will also host a playoff game and then the final on 10 February.
MI Cape Town games at Newlands:
Tuesday , 16 January 2024 vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Friday, 19 January 2024 vs Paarl Royals
Tuesday, 23 January 2024 vs Durban’s Super Giants
Monday, 29th of January 2024 vs Joburg Super Kings
Saturday, 3 February 2024 vs Pretoria Capitals
Tickets for the games are available at Ticketpro
