• Record-breaking Rickelton powers MICT to victory

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    Ryan Rickelton became the first batsman to score two SA20 centuries as MI Cape Town claimed a 36-run victory over the Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers.

    Rickelton matched his career-best with an unbeaten 113 (60 balls; eight fours, nine sixes) to set up MICT’s mammoth 234-3 before George Linde (2-30) and Kagiso Rabada (2-34) restricted JSK to 198-5.

    Fellow opener Rassie van der Dussen also played his part, striking 65 off 32 balls (four fours, six sixes) that set up the visitors’ innings. He and Rickelton rekindled memories of their record 200-run opening stand at the Bullring two seasons ago with another power-packed 129-run partnership in just 10.2 overs.

    MI Cape Town’s power-hitters Nicholas Pooran and Jason Smith failed to capitalise on the platform, but Rickelton was not going to let the early work go to waste as he blasted Nandre Burger for consecutive fours and a towering six to bring up a terrific century off just 55 balls.

    He found an able partner in Afghanistan international Karim Janat, who blasted an 11-ball 20 not out at the death.

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    JSK’s run-chase was hampered after their captain Faf du Plessis could not bat. As a result, Englishman Michael Pepper was promoted to open the innings but his SA20 debut innings did not last long after Rabada successfully reviewed a caught behind at the start of the third over.

    Rabada and Linde wrecked JSK’s top order with Matthew de Villiers and Wiaan Mulder falling in the powerplay.

    It was not until James Vince was joined by rising star Dian Forrester did JSK begin to eat into the target with a 66-run fourth-wicket partnership.

    But after Vince’s dismissal for 77 off 43 balls (10 fours, three sixes), it was left to young Forrester to shoulder the responsibility on his own.

    The 25-year-old left-hander was ultimately not able to take his team over the line, but will no doubt take plenty of confidence from his 42-ball 80* (four fours, five sixes) into JSK’s remaining matches.

    Photo: Ron Gaunt/Sportzpics

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    Simon Borchardt