MI Cape Town send Capitals in a spin to set new SA20 record

MI Cape Town underlined their status as the Betway SA20 tabletoppers for Season 3 with a comprehensive bonuspoint victory over the Pretoria Capitals to close out a perfect record at Newlands on SundayRobin Petersonrsquos team followed in the Paarl Royals footsteps by becoming the second team to preserve an unbeaten home record with five victories at the foot of Table MountainMI Cape Town finished on 35 points a record points tally after the league phase due to their 95run victory over the CapitalsDespite making six changes to their lineup the home team dominated the contest from the outsetThe new opening pair of Sediqullah Atal and Connor Esterhuizen displayed MI Cape Townrsquos formidable depth with a stunning 133run stand for the first wicketLefthander Sediqullah royally entertained the Newlands crowd with a dashing 46ball 77 4x6 6x6 while Esterhuizen also pummelled 69 off 43 balls 6x4 3x6Delano Potgieter added the extras with a 15ball 26 to power MI to 2015 the highest total at Newlands this seasonThe momentum flowed through to MI Cape Townrsquos bowling unit with offspinner Dane Piedt sensationally having Capitals opener Will Jacks caught behind off the very first ball of the replyPiedt who was making his Betway SA20 debut for his home town team celebrated in wild fashion by running away to the Railway Stand in ecstasyThe veteran offspinner was in fine form as he picked up two further wickets to finish with the impressive figures of 328 which earned him the Player of the Match awardldquoIt has been amazing I have grown up here Played in front of my wife son and parentsrdquo said PiedtldquoI keep the guys motivated I try to create good energy and get the guys to express themselves I have been watching this from afar But it has been amazing This is what we have been calling out for Cant drop a Man of the Matchrdquo he saidThe MI Cape Town spinners were in fine form with legspinner Thomas Kaber bagging 321 while leftarm spinner George Linde also claimed 211Collectively the spin trio claimed 860 to dismiss the Capitals for just 106 in 14 oversldquoWe have been well supported The crowd has been fantastic The first two years didnt go as per plan It has been extremely satisfying to see the crowd The team has been humbled by the supportrdquo said standin captain Colin IngramldquoReally good players who have played their roles Leftright combination opens up both sides of the wicket We have been seeing some terrific performances The bowlers have been incredible We have fed off each other We will look to do well on TuesdayrdquoMI Cape Town travel to Gqeberha to face Paarl Royals in Qualifier 1 at St Georgersquos Park on Tuesday The winner advances straight through to the final at the Wanderers on Saturday February 8With agency inputs