BAARTMAN STARS FOR SUPER KINGS ON MLC DEBUT

Ottneil Baartman delivered a spectacular Major League Cricket (MLC) debut performance of 3/20 for the Texas Super Kings last night in Dallas.

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape star was brought into the Super Kings squad as a replacement for the injured Joburg Super Kings fast bowler and Proteas teammate Gerald Coetzee.

Immediately, the stage was set between Betway SA20’s leading wicket-taker Baartman and Season 2’s top run-scorer Ryan Rickelton when the Super Kings met the Seattle Orcas in the last group stage match.

And it was Baartman that made an immediate impact by dismissing the in-form Rickelton with his very first ball in MLC.

The right-arm seamer pitched it up outside off, and the MI Cape Town opener, playing for the Orcas, chipped it straight to cover with a checked drive to set off the Super Kings celebrations.

Durban's Super Giants all-rounder Marcos Stoinis claimed the Rickelton catch and the Australian would go on to form a lethal combination with Baartman.

Stoinis was the catcher for Baartman’s two other wickets on the night as well.

After dismissing Rickelton with the first ball of the innings, Baartman returned to show off his death bowling prowess that has earned him a famed reputation with the Sunrisers over the past two seasons.

Durban's Super Giants duo Quinton de Kock (26 off 19 balls) and Keemo Paul (25 off 17 balls) had given the Orcas hope, but it was Baartman that finished off the Seattle challenge.

Baartman picked up two wickets within three balls of each other in the penultimate over to close out the 37-run victory for the Super Kings.

Earlier, Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis extended his lead at the top of the MLC Season 2 run-scorers table with a solid 39 off 17 balls to help his side to 177/8.

Du Plessis has been in superb form during this MLC season, becoming only the second batter in the history of the competition to pass the 300-run mark last night.

The Super Kings will hope both Du Plessis and Baartman can continue their form when they face defending champions MI Cape Town in tomorrow’s Eliminator.

“Happy with the last few performances. Today, a few new guys got opportunities and some nice performances there. Very happy with the tournament so far,” said Texas Super Kings assistant coach Albie Morkel.

“We really want to do well, it was a good exercise today to come out and play with high intensity and see a few others guy perform, so that was good. It's a quick turnaround time, tomorrow against Mumbai, hopefully we can repeat that.”