Exclusive: Van der Dussen and Rickelton Eye Redemption for MI Cape Town in Season Three

If anything has stood out in the MI Cape Town over the last two SA20 seasons, it has been Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton's batting partnership at the top of the order. 

The pair put up six 50-plus opening stands in their ten fixtures last season, with one being a mammoth 200-run stand against Joburg Super Kings at the Wanders Stadium. 

RVD - Rickelton Opening Pair

Both batters finished inside the top-ten run-scorers list season with Rickelton leading the charges with over 500 runs at an impressive average of 58.88, while Van der Dussen finished in sixth place with 328 runs including a top-score of 104 runs.

With Rickelton fresh from a double century from the recently concluded South Africa - Pakistan Test series, and Van der Dussen being fresh having had rest in the last month, the pair is gunning for yet another impressive season. 

Van der Dussen told SportsBoom that they complement each other well given that they have different strengths and also that they are a left-hand-right-hand combination. 

"Ryan and I bat nicely together. We know each other very well. We've played at the Lions in Joburg domestically for 10 years, so he's talented and is on top of the world at the moment," Van der Dussen told SportsBoom.com. 

"He's batted so well in the last 12 to 18 months, he's been absolutely brilliant. So, for me to bat with a guy like him, we have different strengths in different areas."

"We've complemented each other nicely in that sense. We've kept it very positive and just really lighthearted."

"We go out there trying to express ourselves and hopefully, we can do that again and get the team off to some good starts."

Hoping for a successful Season Three

MI Cape Town has had a disappointing two seasons, finishing at the bottom of the log in both seasons despite having a star-studded team including Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan and Kieron Pollard. 

This year, players such as Van der Dussen are determined to put personal goals aside, while putting the goals of the team first, a feat which should help their course as they aim to do better this season. 

"Personal goals are not for me, I just try to take it game by game. I think more from the team's perspective, it's probably more important for us," said Van der Dussen.  

"The last two years have not been great for us as a franchise, Mumbai Indians and MI Cape Town as a franchise demand high standards."

"The results in the last two years haven't been great. Our support at Newlands is always so good, we really want to reward the support the people of Cape Town have given us. So, hopefully, it's the third time lucky and the team can have a successful campaign."

SA20 Impact on Cricket in South Africa

Moreover, the SA20 has had a good impact on South African cricket. In its two seasons, the tournament has revamped the love for the sport in the country as the crowds have come out in numbers to support their respective teams. 

"Every year has been great. As a tournament in South Africa, going into the third one, the first edition (had) really good energy, people were loving it, and the crowds came out and supported it," said Van der Dussen. 

"It's a great time of year in South Africa, the weather is good, the vibes are good and the cricket is world-class. Going into season three, the build-up started months ago already and I'm really excited to get going."

The first match of the competition gets underway on Thursday, 9 January as Van der Dussen and his MI Cape Town teammates take on two-time champions in Sunrisers Eastern Cape.