Venue: Newlands
Team: MI Cape Town
Head Coach: Simon Katich
Owner: Rise Worldwide Limited - a Reliance Industries Limited group Company
Captain: Rashid Khan
Capacity: 25 000
Setting:
Newlands is world-renowned. It is one of the most beautiful settings with Table Mountain as the backdrop and is a must-see for fans and players alike. Every member of the MI Cape Town and the rest of SA20 will want to play there, regardless of the conditions.
The prime place to sit for the best view of the mountain is of course what is called The Oaks, which is the main grass bank under a set of large Oak trees.
Conditions:
The Newlands pitch has always been enjoyable for the batters in T20 cricket, if not as flat as those in the Highveld. However, the ball has tended to do something in the opening few overs, so the bowlers won’t feel too dispirited.
Interestingly, in the last Franchise competition (MSL) played in SA which included overseas players, the average score at Newlands was 168. What might be different is the effect on the ball’s behaviour of the large building renovations that have gone into Newlands over the winter. Players this season have said the pitch is now a tad slower.
What to expect:
Rashid Khan is the marquee individual in the MI Cape Town squad and you can expect him to cause many batters all sorts of problems, and don’t underestimate his ability with the bat in hand either. You can also expect something very special if Jofra Archer and Kagiso Rabada open the bowling together. The pace and athleticism of both of them should make for exciting viewing.
In the batting department you have the local sensation Dewald Brevis (Baby-AB) who has taken the T20 format by storm locally and in the IPL last year. With his success in the IPL, the anticipation is he will take this tournament by storm as well.
He is a real talent and doesn’t seem to mind the pressure that is placed on him at the moment. Another team member is the Englishman Liam Livingstone, who previously played in SA in the MSL and enjoyed himself in these conditions. Expect many runs from Liam, who is now a regular in the England T20 side.
T20 Team Stats
Highest team total in international cricket: 193/5 – Aus v SA (2020)
Lowest team total in international cricket: 96 – SA v Aus (2020)
Highest team total in domestic cricket: 212/4 – Cobras v Titans (2007)
Lowest Team total in domestic cricket: 96/9 Yorkshire v Sydney Sixers (2012)
(This was during the short-lived Champions League that was played in SA in 2012.)
T20 Individual Stats
Highest individual score in international cricket: David Malan 99* – Eng v SA (2020)
Best bowling in international cricket: Stuart Clark 4/20 – Aus v SL (2007)
Highest Individual score in domestic cricket: Henry Davids 112* – Cobras v Warriors (2009)
Best bowling in domestic cricket: Beuran Hendricks 6/29 – Cobras v Knights (2014)
