SA20 Highlights : RECORD-BREAKING RICKELTON POWERS MI CAPE TOWN TO 'DOUBLE' OVER JSK

Ryan Rickelton became the first batter to score multiple Betway SA20 centuries as the defending champions reignited their Betway SA20 campaign with a resounding 36-run victory over Joburg Super Kings in the ‘El

Clasico’ at the Wanderers.

Rickelton matched his career-best with an unbeaten 113 (60 balls, 8x4, 9x6) to set up MI Cape Town’s mammoth 234/3 before George Linde (2/30) and Kagiso Rabada (2/34) restricted Super Kings to 198/5.

Fellow opener Rassie van der Dussen also played his part, striking 65 (32 balls, 4x4, 6x6) that set up MI Cape Town’s 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 boundaries 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 Betway SA20 debut innings did not last long after Rabada successfully reviewed a caught behind at the start of the third over.

The four Player of the Match candidates were Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen and James Vince with the centurion winning 83.2% of the fan vote.

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 (43 balls, 10x4, 3x6), it was left to young Forrester to shoulder the responsibility on his own.

The left-hander was ultimately not able to take his team over the line, but the 25-year-old will no doubt take plenty of confidence from his 42-ball 80 not out (4x4, 5x6) into JSK’s remaining matches.