Left Arm Around

Heinrich Klaasen stars with stunning 85 off 35 balls as Durban Super Giants defeat MI Cape Town by 11 runs (DLS method) at Kingsmead.

The contest was the first completed fixture of this year’s SA20 following the abandonment of yesterday’s game between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Joburg Super Kings.

After winning the toss and opting the field, hosts Durban soon found themselves under immense pressure as Ryan Rickelton crunched the first over from Englishman Richard Gleeson for 23 runs.

A glorious 82-run opening stand between Rickelton and Van Der Dussen ended when the latter was dismissed by West Indian Keemo Paul, just before youngster Dewald Brevis departed for 5 when he was brilliantly caught by a diving Matthew Breeztke.

SA20 debutant Connor Esterhuizen then showed his talent with an exciting yet short-lived 17, though Rickelton was able to continue the momentum and showcase an array of shots until he was dismissed 15 shy of well-deserved ton.

Keemo Paul (2-31) prized his wicket, deceiving Rickelton with a slower ball that was chopped onto his stumps.

With 25 for Liam Livingstone and a crunching 31 off 14 from T20 veteran Kieron Pollard, the visitors ended their innings on a high to set DSG a stiff target of 208.

England left-armer Reece Topley had a particularly tough evening, collecting figures of 0-53 from his 4 overs.

DSG quickly lost Quinton De Kock and Wiaan Mulder inside 14 balls, but the impressive Breetzke and Paul guided them to a respectable 52-2 at the end of the powerplay.

The partnership broke only a ball later as Olly Stone removed Paul, however it was the injection of middle-order titan Heinrich Klaasen that was ultimately the difference between the two teams.

His ferocious knock of 85 from just 35 deliveries, especially brutal of spin, featured four boundaries and eight sixes as he continued the wonderful form he displayed at the recent ODI World Cup in India.

As he continued to show why he’s one of the most feared batsman around the globe.

South Africa teammate Kagiso Rabada later returned to remove Klaasen when he was caught on the boundary by Sam Curran, though it made zero difference to the final result as rain intervened and ensured the people couldn’t re-enter the field.

Positioned at 177-6 and 11 runs ahead of their DLS target at 16.3 overs, DSG ran out winners in a game that promised drama in the remaining 21 balls.

What’s next?

Both sides return to SA20 action on Saturday.

MICT travel to the Wanderers to face Joburg Super Kings, meanwhile DSG are away at St George’s Park to play defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape.