Durban Super Giants. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Wednesday, 24 January 2024: Durban’s Super Giants (DSG) returned to winning ways in a crucial SA20 match against MI Cape Town (MICT) at Newlands on Tuesday evening.
DSG were on a two-game losing sequence before bouncing back with a 36-run bonus-point victory to move back into second position with 18 points. The visitors were sent in to bat and struggled initially after local boy and left-arm spinner, George Linde (2/15), reduced DSG to 23/2 in the third over.
Linde’s victims were DSG debutant Tony de Zorzi, who raced to 20 off 11 balls (3×4, 1×6), attempting an ill-judged reverse sweep before also clean bowling Quinton de Kock the very next ball.
DSG’s innings was then rebuilt through a 43-run partnership between Matthew Breetzke (48) and Jon Jon Smuts (26). But a double blow by wrist-spinner Thomas Kaber (2/20), who accounted for the wickets of JJ Smuts and the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen stemmed the visitors’ momentum.
It required a 20-ball 38 not out from Wiaan Mulder to eventually lift DSG to 157/6. MICT were never in control of their run chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals. There was a lack of partnerships throughout with only Sam Curran (38) and Dewald Brevis’ (21) 48-run stand for the fourth wicket providing any hope for the Newlands faithful.
It was DSG’s two new signings Noor Ahmad (3/22) and Marcus Stoinis (3/18) that inflicted the damage as MICT were restricted to 121/9. MICT have a long break before their next crunch match away against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park on Saturday.
MICT have a long break before their next crunch match away against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park on Saturday.
Player of the Match: George Linde (2/15).