Kagiso Rabada of MI Cape Town celebrates the wicket of Lhuan-dre Pretorius of Paarl Royals. Photo: Sportzpics
Comparisons may be odious, but unfortunately for MI Cape Town, they are also inevitable.
For the first time in three seasons, MI Cape Town not only reached the SA20 playoffs, but have also progressed straight through to the grand final at the Wanderers on Saturday at the first time of asking.
Since they also topped the group stages with a record 35 points, it is hard to avoid the fact they have been unquestionably the best side in Season 3.
So, what is the difference between this group who are hoping to be crowned champions at the Bullring, and the bumbling bunch that fumbled around for two seasons?
“We’ve always had the players, but now I think we got together, and the senior group had a lot to do with it in terms of pulling everyone together,” said fast-bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada following their 39-run Qualifier 1 victory over Paarl Royals in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
“There’s also a familiarity between the players. And as you can see, the South African players are backing each other.
“We’ve been playing two overseas (players) in certain games, or in quite a few games, so you can see the local players are stepping up.
“Everyone who’s on the bench as well is looking to make an impact. Whether they come in, they can come in at any time, everyone is actually ready to play.
“So, the hunger’s there. The hunger’s always been there, but I think we just got together more as a team to put in those crucial performances at crucial times. And I think that’s what’s getting us over the line.”
The feature of MI Cape Town’s campaign has been their prolific batting unit.
Dynamic openers Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen have laid the platform – like they did again in Qualifier 1 against the Paarl Royals with an 87-run opening stand – which has allowed the middle-order to walk in and play with the freedom the situation demands.
𝓡uns 𝓥er 𝓓elivered.. and HOW 🔝🏏#MICapeTown #OneFamily #BetwaySA20 #Rassievanderdussen pic.twitter.com/P3teBbUTAx
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) February 5, 2025
Rabada feels this has not been achieved by chance, but rather the way the batters have adapted to the different conditions at all the venues around the country.
“Yeah, I must say, the wickets have been a bit tricky all in all,” Rabada said.
“However, I think the pitches were good at Newlands because we were chasing scores of 160-plus, and setting scores of 160, 170-plus.
“But yeah, great start by Ryan and Rassie, and then well followed by our lower-order and middle-order.
“So yeah, everyone’s ready to play. And that’s what we saw. I thought under pressure, we responded well. We’ve been doing that all tournament. Hopefully we can do that in the final.”
Rabada was, however, also quick to pay tribute to his fellow bowlers for helping to get MI Cape Town this far.
“I think it’s a very good bowling attack,” he said. “Yeah, Boulti (Trent Boult), he’s been dominating world cricket for a long time now. Rashid (Khan) has been doing it. I’ve been trying.
The waves of emotions felt after a 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 moment for Rashid 🥹💙🌊#MICapeTown #OneFamily #BetwaySA20 #MICTvPR pic.twitter.com/IxtYsOHOxH
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) February 5, 2025
“And then you’ve got some local players like George (Linde), who’s been bowling really well and other guys like Boschi (Corbin Bosch), who is showing the world what he can do. He’s always had it.
“So, I think it’s a really well-balanced bowling attack, if you ask me. There’s everything. There’s spin and there’s seam. There’s always a threat coming your way.
“And I think that’s been a testament to the results that we’ve produced. We’re excited... we’re really excited.”
Related Topics: