Rutherford powers Capitals to maiden SA20 victory

NEWLANDS, South Africa:

Sherfane Rutherford delivered a breathtaking all-round masterclass to ignite the Pretoria Capitals' season, powering them to a crushing 85-run victory over a shell-shocked MI Cape Town (MICT) at Newlands on Wednesday.

The win marked the Capitals' first of the SA20 campaign, while extending MICT's winless run to three games.

The foundation for the mammoth total of 220 for five was built on a blistering, unbroken 86-run stand from just 27 balls between Rutherford and Dewald Brevis.

Coming in after the dismissals of set batters Shai Hope for 47 and Wiaan Lubbe, 38, the pair unleashed carnage.

Rutherford was the chief destroyer, notably hammering Dwaine Pretorius for four consecutive sixes in a 15-ball blitz of 47 not out.

EARLY STRIKE

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada struck in his first over, after Hope and Will Smead seized the momentum.

Corbin Bosch and George Linde struck back, but a solid 88-run partnership between Hope and Lubbe steadied the ship and set the stage for the late fireworks.

In response, MICT's chase began promisingly. Ryan Rickelton with 38 and Rassie van der Dussen 30 raced to 60 inside the powerplay, despite both being dropped.

However, Rickelton's dismissal to a well-judged catch sparked a shift. Van der Dussen fell soon after, and though Nicholas Pooran briefly threatened with 20, his dismissal triggered a spectacular collapse.

The Capitals' gamble to throw the ball to Rutherford paid dividends spectacularly. The West Indian ripped through the middle and lower order, claiming four for 24 with his brisk seamers.

Supported by spinner Keshav Maharaj, who bagged 2-24, Rutherford oversaw a stunning capitulation as MICT lost their last seven wickets for just 35 runs, and were bundled out for 135 in 16.4 overs.

- CMC