Leus du Plooy’s attacking 81 not out, followed by three-fers from Kyle Simmonds (3-23) and Gerald Coetzee (3-27) helped Joburg Super Kings thrash bottom-dwellers MI Cape Town by 76 runs in their inconsequential last league game of the inaugural SA20, at home on Monday.
Cape Town had started well with the ball, courtesy of Sam Curran (2/26), as Super Kings lost three wickets, including both openers for ducks, inside the Powerplay after being put in to bat first. But du Plooy turned it around spectacularly with his big-hitting to power his side to a commanding 189/6. He slammed 11 boundaries and a six in his 48-ball knock, dominating most partnerships he was a part of in his unbeaten innings.
Matthew Wade though did manage to steal some limelight as he hacked a 40-run cameo in just 18 balls – hitting eight boundaries and a six – in the 46-run fourth-wicket stand before Jofra Archer had him bowled 10 short of a fifty. Archer picked his second in Kyle Simmonds, but Super Kings were well placed to post a challenging total with du Plooy batting through after having arrived at the crease second ball of the innings.
Cape Town’s chase never really got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals to build any momentum. Young Dewald Brevis fought hard in his top-scoring effort of 27 while opener Rassie van der Dussen (20) and wicketkeeper Grant Roelofsen (21) were the only others who got starts. Brevis was the last man dismissed as Simmons and Coetzee wrapped up the proceedings with 2.1 overs to spare.
Brief scores: Joburg Super Kings 189/6 in 20 overs (Leus du Plooy 81*, Matthew Wade 40; Sam Curran 2-26, Jofra Archer 2-35) beat MI Cape Town 113 all out in 17.5 overs (Dewald Brevis 27; Kyle Simmonds 3-23, Gerald Coetzee 3-27) by 76 runs
