If desperation is your ‘kick’, then this was the week for you. And next week, too, probably. MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants could both have been eliminated but, instead, both won matches in the last chance saloon. And they will keep each other company in the same saloon for the rest of the group stages, provided they keep winning. One more defeat for either will probably spell the end of their knockout hopes.
At the other end of the log, the scramble for a top-two finish and the security of a ‘second chance’ Eliminator match after the Qualifier is heating up. Just four points separate Sunrisers Eastern Cape (19) at the top and fourth-placed Paarl Royals (15), although the Royals have played just six games to others' seven. Could this be their year?
MATCH OF THE WEEK: Durban's Super Giants' two-wicket victory against the Sunrisers was edge-of-the-seat stuff. When it’s hard to score at a run-a-ball, the tension doesn’t suit everyone watching, but for those who enjoy a fierce contest in which bowlers are rewarded as well as batsmen – rather than a six-hitting competition – this was a cracker.
BATTER: Ryan Rickelton’s second century of the tournament was even better than his first – 113* from just 60 balls with eight fours and nine sixes. The head-scratching among his peers and supporters regarding his omission from the World Cup squad continues apace. True, he did have a lean patch in international cricket during the India tour, but you know what they say about class and form. One is temporary, the other is permanent. Shout out to his MICT opening partner, too. Rassie van der Dussen (65 from 32 balls) is striking them as well as ever.
BOWLER: Keshav Maharaj, captaining the Capitals at the country’s most batsmen-friendly and least spin-friendly venue – it was always an interesting selection. But on pitches which offer the spinners something, anything, he’s still one of the best in the world. Figures of 4-0-14-2 went a long way to winning the match at Boland Park. No wonder he’s thriving in away matches. spin
PERFORMANCE: Jonny Bairstow’s 34 runs off an over from Keshav Maharaj doesn’t see to have gathered the headlines it might have done in other circumstances, coming towards the end of a remarkable, unbroken opening partnership of 177 with Quinton de Kock to carry the Sunrisers to a thumping, bonus-point win against the Capitals.
OVERSEAS PLAYER: 39-year-old Sikander Raza continues to prove that age is just a number for the Royals, but Shai Hope’s 118* from 69 balls (9x4, 9x6) and Sherfane Rutherford’s 42* were the stand-out performances, with the Capitals grateful to their Caribbean stars for victory on both occasions.
DSG’s Jos Buttler (97*) might have denied them victory in the second of those matches had his batting partners shown just a little game awareness in the closing overs and done whatever it took to get the Englishman on strike instead of chipping lame catches into the air or running themselves out.
SOUTH AFRICAN: Dian Forrester’s stock value continues to rise at a rapid pace, just like the 80 he scored from 42 balls, albeit in a losing cause for JSK against MI Cape Town. But Quinton de Kock remains the hottest local player for the moment. The runs we take for granted, but have you noticed just how well he is keeping wicket at the moment?
TALKING POINT: Should Ryan Rickelton be going to the T20 World Cup? Was the injured Tony de Zorzi’s selection a gamble too far? Everyone will have their opinion…
LOOK OUT FOR: Sunrisers host JSK on Wednesday in a table-topper which could decide who wins the league stage and wins the right to host the Qualifier match on January 21. Before that, MI Cape Town and DSG are in action – battling to keep their seasons alive.