Capitals secure crucial victory

The Pretoria Capitals secured a crucial victory last night, grabbing their first points of the SA20 league after England international Will Jacks led a magnificent allround effort against an in-form Durban’s Super Giants team in Centurion.

Chasing a formidable target of 205 runs to win, the Super Giants fell well short, as they were handed their first defeat of the popular T20 competition.

It was a breakthrough result for the Capitals, who picked up their first win, with their 17-run victory keeping them in the run for the playoffs as the opening round gained momentum.

The Durban outfit made a concerted effort to chase down their target, with eight of their batters reaching double figures, but none of them managed to kick on. Opener Matthew Breetzke topscored with 33 runs, and their combined contributions were not enough as the Super Giants were restricted to 187/7.

Jacks, who opened the bowling for the Capitals with his right-arm spin, led the attack by returning 2/18. Seam bowlers Hardus Viljoen (2/39) and Wayne Parnell (2/54) also grabbed two wickets each.

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Capitals got off to a spectacular start, with Jacks and compatriot Phil Salt combining in an explosive 75-run stand for the first wicket.

And while Salt fell in the sixth over, after contributing 24 off 13, Jacks took control by hammering a thunderous 101 off just 42 balls at a strike rate of 240.47, in an innings which included eight fours and an incredible nine sixes. It was his second T20 century.

Middle-order batter Colin Ingram also made a key contribution for the home team, hitting 43 off 23 deliveries to lift their total and keep pressure on the visitors as the home side reached a commanding total of 204/9.

England seamer Reece Topley led a fighting Super Giants attack, returning 3/34, but they were unable to contain a determined Capitals line-up as the hosts got their campaign off the ground.

In today’s SA20 match, starting at 5.30pm, MI Cape Town will host unbeaten table toppers Paarl Royals in Cape Town.