SA20 | Twitter reacts as red-hot Rickelton's fourth straight fifty propels MI to dominant win over Royals
Ryan Rickelton further extended his purple patch at Newlands with a flamboyant knock of 94* to earn MI Cape Town a second win in the season. Paarl Royals got off to a blazing start but failed to back the effort up post the powerplay, ending up with 172/8 which was chased down in just 16.5 overs.
Jason Roy came out of the gates all guns blazing after MI opted to field first and struck Kagiso Rabada for five maximums in a 14-ball blitzkrieg of 38. However, two quick wickets toward the end of the powerplay curbed the visitors' momentum as Jos Buttler and David Miller shifted focus to building up a partnership. The duo stitched 42 runs together but failed to capitalize on the foundation by failing within five balls of each other to hand the prerogative back to the hosts. No batter managed to launch off thereafter as Thomas Kaber shone with the ball, producing exemplary figures of 3/20. Only a steady 28 from Mitchell van Buuren and Sam Curran overstepping on the last ball allowed Paarl to go past 170 and set a target of 174 for MI Cape Town.
Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen mirrored their counterparts with an explosive opening stand of their own, registering their fourth straight 80-plus partnership by racing to the mark in just eight overs. Even though the latter succumbed to Tabraiz Shamsi for 41, there was no stopping Rickelton's extravaganza as he pretty much singlehandeedly carried his team to the win. The 27-year-old ended unbeaten on 94, smashing his runs at 180.76 to seal the chase with 19 balls to spare and hand Paarl Royals their first loss of the season following three victories on the trot.
Bluish Newlands
Newlands is blue. 💙#OneFamily #MICapetown #MICTvPR #SA20
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 19, 2024
Best opening pair
MI Cape Town has the best opening pair in this year's #SA20
— Noko (@TruthOrPeace_) January 19, 2024
Unbelievable
Ryan Rickelton there is something in him, willing to take risks and scoring at impressive strike rate his consistency in this season is unbelievable.#SA20
— Uday reddy (@Udayred00926701) January 19, 2024
Again!
Ryan has got Newlands on its feet ... 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡🥳
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) January 19, 2024
WHAT A PLAYER🔥#OneFamily #MICapetown #MICTvPR #SA20 pic.twitter.com/SqNDIkDU7G
next de kock?
Ryan Rickelton can be next Quinton De Kock for South Africa.#SA20 #JustSaying #Cricket
— Harsh (@the_dabiyan) January 19, 2024
Crowd energy
The crowd & vibe in @SA20_League is just remarkable. 🔥#WelcomeToIncrediblepic.twitter.com/hsxNSOvk14
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 19, 2024
Lol
Everytime I hear KP and Broad commentating together this is what comes to mind #SA20 #MICTvPR pic.twitter.com/pfTh3LXapJ
— Erika Morris (@ErikaMorris79) January 19, 2024
Good to see
Rassie batting in the way we want him to play in T20s. So far starting much quicker than he generally did. Good to see#SA20 #MICTvPR
— Werner (@Werries_) January 19, 2024
Great for SA
Have to say I couldn’t stand Broad as a player but he has been great on comms for the SA20..
— Andrew Mortimer 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@AndrewMort18) January 19, 2024
Perfect night
The perfect night at Newlands for some @SA20_League action!🔥 pic.twitter.com/LvIGkpTABb
— Avuyile Sawula (@av_sawula) January 19, 2024