By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Joburg Super Kings have started their SA20 cricket campaign with a 22-run victory over the Pretoria Capitals, in Centurion, Tshwane.
It was the Super Kings’ first triumph over the Capitals at Centurion after four seasons of trying, and it came courtesy of a clinical bowling performance that strangled the Capitals batting lineup.
Capitals won the toss and elected to field first and Super Kings posted 168-6 with Rilee Rossouw top-scoring with 48 off 33 balls.
Defending a competitive 168-6, the Super Kings found themselves under pressure as the Capitals reached 86-2 in the 12th over following a fluent 71-run opening stand between Will Smeed (34 off 30 balls) and Bryce Parsons (41 off 30).
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when young seamer Janco Smit dismissed Dewald Brevis for six, igniting a collapse that stunned the home crowd.
Duan Jansen was the chief architect of the turnaround, ripping through the Capitals’ middle order to finish with outstanding figures of 4-23. Having already removed Shai Hope earlier in the innings, the left-armer returned to dismiss Parsons, before clean bowling Connor Esterhuizen and Daniel Smith as the Capitals lost five wickets for just 28 runs.
The home team never recovered and limped to 146-9 in their 20 overs.
“I’m very excited and very happy,” Jansen said post-match. “It’s been good to make a statement having not been involved in the last tournament, and also to add value to the team. I always knew I belong here, but it was nice putting the performance for the team.”
Meanwhile Durban’s Super Giants held their nerve to beat defending champions MI Cape Town by 15 runs in a thrilling Betway SA20 Season 4 opening game at Newlands on Friday evening.