NEW DELHI: MI Cape Town (MICT) stunned the defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) in the opening clash of SA20 Season 3 with a comprehensive 97-run victory at a packed St. George’s Park.
While MICT celebrated a commanding performance, SEC’s Richard Gleeson offered a candid assessment of the match.
“It’s not my first time here; I played last year for Durban. The atmosphere here is loud, like a party, and having the crowd behind me this time was fantastic. I’m looking forward to more games and hoping we can turn things around,” said Gleeson, reflecting on the electric atmosphere.
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MICT’s innings was powered by Dewald Brevis, who blasted a brilliant 57 off 29 balls, hitting six sixes and two fours. Late contributions from Delano Potgieter (25 not out off 12) and George Linde (23 not out off 17) ensured a challenging total of 174/7.
SEC’s bowlers, despite some fine spells, couldn’t stop the late surge, conceding 23 runs in the final over bowled by Marco Jansen.
SEC’s response faltered early, with Trent Boult delivering a sensational new-ball spell, including a double-wicket maiden.
Despite Gleeson’s personal effort of 2/22, SEC’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure, managing only 77 runs.
“We couldn’t get going with the bat, unfortunately. They built partnerships well and had big overs at the end, which hurt us. Maybe we missed our lengths and execution, but we’ve got to do better,” Gleeson admitted.
Looking ahead, Gleeson struck an optimistic note, adding, “If you lose any game, it’s probably a good wake-up call. I think we’ve done all the preparation; now it’s about playing the games, staying on track, and delivering strong performances. So, we need to put this behind us, refocus, and move forward.”
MICT will aim to build on their strong start when they face the Joburg Super Kings on Friday, while SEC will look for redemption against Paarl Royals in an early fixture.
READ ALSO: Delano Potgieter leads MI Cape Town to big opening win in SA20 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape
