SA20 2023: Dewald Brevis lights up tournament opener as MI Cape Town beat Paarl Royals

The Newlands crowd were in high spirits before the toss after being entertained by a spectacular show from Sho Madjozi and Master KG.

The entertainment continued once the game started as the home side drew first blood when MI Cape Town’s Jofra Archer, who returned to action after a long layoff, dismissed Wihan Lubbe with the help of a brilliant diving catch from George Linde.

The Boland side settled down after the initial setback through English duo Jos Buttler and Jason Roy as the pair put on 36 runs for the second wicket before Roy (13) was dismissed by Duan Jansen.

Buttler, though, continued to keep the Royals’ innings ticking over as he produced a sparkling half-century before being dismissed for 51(42), while captain David Miller scored 42 off 31 balls as the Royals closed their innings at 142/7.

SA20 2023: Jofra Archer takes three wickets in first competitive game in almost 18 months

Archer was the standout bowler for MI Cape Town with figures of 3 for 27, while his compatriot Olly Stone claimed 2 for 37.

In reply, MI Cape Town opening batters Brevis and Ryan Rickelton did not waste time in the run chase as they hit the ground running immediately.

The pair reached the end of the Powerplay in a comfortable position with MI Cape Town moving to 88/0. However, the Royals managed the breakthrough they were looking for after breaking the 90-run partnership as Rickelton departed for 42 (33 balls).

It was a mere blip for the Royals as Brevis entertained the Newlands faithful with sweet strikes down the ground as he finished unbeaten on 70 off just 41 balls (4×4, 6×5) as MI Cape Town opened their Betway SA20 account in emphatic fashion.

Source: Media Release