Super Kings restrict Capitals to 138 in first innings

The Joburg Super Kings restricted the Pretoria Capitals to a well below-par 138 for eight in their 20 overs in their Betway SA20 Highveld derby at DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday night.

It was the spinners that impressed for the hosts as Moeen Ali, 2-21, Donovan Ferreira, 2-17, and Imran Tahir, 1-17, were fantastic in keeping the Capitals in check, largely in the middle overs, and their batters should feel confident in chasing down the total.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl the Super Kings got off to the perfect start as part-timer Ferreira, tasked with opening the bowling, had opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz slashing to Tahir at backward point for a first ball duck with the third ball of the match.

Kyle Verreynne, 39 off 31 (6x4) was promoted up the order and along with Will Jacks (15) looked to get things back on track with a positive 47-run second wicket stand off 28 balls, as both got stuck into David Wiese, Lutho Sipamla and Hardus Viljoen.

But just as they were looking to take charge they stumbled in the final over of the powerplay as Evan Jones had Jacks trapped dead in front with a low full toss, leaving the Capitals on 51 for three at the end of it.

Regular wickets continued to fall as Ali bowled Rilee Roussouw (1) with a ball that spun and straightened, Verreynne was well caught by Jones running around the boundary off Tahir, and Marques Ackerman (2) popped a return catch to Ali as they slipped to 69 for five after 11 overs.

Liam Livingstone (22) finally found a willing partner in Jimmy Neesham, 30 off 21 balls (3x4, 1x6) as they combined for a 45-run partnership, but they slipped again just as they were setting a platform.

Neesham edged Ferreira to Ali at short third man and Livingstone, who struggled in facing 30 balls in his innings, edged Wiese to keeper Jonny Bairstow as they slumped to 118 for seven in the 18th over.

Senuran Muthusamy (8) was brilliantly caught one handed by Ferreira off Viljoen in the last over, while Migael Pretorius (10no) launched the last ball for a six to boost his side a touch at the death.

JOBURG SUPER KINGS: Faf du Plessis (capt), Devon Conway, Leus du Plooy, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Donovan Ferreira, Evan Jones, David Wiese, Hardus Viljoen, Imran Tahir, Lutho Sipamla

PRETORIA CAPITALS: Will Jacks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Rilee Rossouw (capt), Liam Livingstone, Marques Ackerman, James Neesham, Senuran Muthusamy, Migael Pretorius, Eathan Bosch, Tiaan van Vuuren