Batter Connor Esterhuizen chats to MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson. Photo: Sportzpics
MI Cape Town’s appearance in a first-ever SA20 final on Saturday at the Wanderers (5.30pm start) is just reward not only for the team’s approach to the shortest format, but more its perseverance to that approach.
Former Proteas all-rounder Robin Peterson switched roles from general manager to head coach at the beginning of last season, when he replaced Australian Simon Katich after MI Cape Town had finished bottom in their inaugural SA20 campaign.
Peterson did not fare any better, with the Cape outfit yet again propping up the basement in the second season.
For a franchise accustomed to success as Mumbai Indians are, it would have been easy to hit the panic button and send Peterson on his way.
But the 45-year-old is an integral part of the MI family though, having previously played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, and more recently guiding MI New York to the maiden Major League Cricket Championship title in the United States.
Peterson needed time to implement his game-plan, and for his players to fully understand the message that he was conveying.
Equally, he needed to make some critical changes to the batting line-up in terms of getting the combinations right.
It was Peterson that paired up Ryan Rickleton and Rassie van der Dussen at the top of the order, which has since become the prolific opening combination in SA20 history, by moving youngster Dewald Brevis down the order after he opened the batting in Season 1.
He also moved swiftly and decisively at last year’s mini-auction to bring Reeza Hendricks, along with Colin Ingram, to Newlands for greater experience to be added to the MI Cape Town batting line-up.
This has allowed them to have a fluid approach, with Hendricks moving up or down depending on the circumstances, which is emblematic of a team that refuse to take a backward step, while thinking on their feet.
“We didn’t have a good two years, the first two years. We were disappointed. We obviously know the level we can perform at. The previous two years were tough, watching the playoffs, the final on TV,” said Van der Dussen.
“But the role-clarity has been really good now. Everyone in the team knows what they are about. From number one to number 11. We’ve got a really good culture going at the moment.
“From last year and this year from Robbie P, our head coach, he’s just been saying assess conditions upfront, and then play with freedom.”
Weathered the storm, then 𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 his own in Qualifier 1 🤩🌪️#MICapeTown #OneFamily #BetwaySA20 #MICTvPR #DewaldBrevis #Sediqullah pic.twitter.com/lbumcwvEe0
— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) February 5, 2025
It is also no coincidence that Peterson has bulked up his squad with players from the Lions, who incidentally have been the most successful union in domestic cricket the past few seasons, particularly in the T20 format.
“Combinations in cricket are a valuable asset,” Van der Dussen said.
“Knowing the guys in your team, knowing their games, knowing what they think under pressure... it’s our strength.
“This year we’ve got Reeza as well in the top three, who we also know so well. It’s a good understanding. We help each other in that regard.”
Van der Dussen feels there’s an extra advantage to this, with Saturday’s final at the Wanderers – against either Paarl Royals or Sunrisers Eastern Cape – almost like a home game for the majority of the squad.
“We have one more. It’s at the Wanderers. It’s a ground myself, Ryan, Reeza, Connor (Esterhuizen), Delano (Potgieter) and KG (Kagiso Rabada) all know so well,” he said.
“It’s our home ground. I can’t wait for that. A packed Bullring is an unbelievable experience. Hopefully we see some MI Cape Town shirts there. I think it’s going to be a great occasion.”
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