CAPITALS' MUTHUSAMY ENJOYS 'BRILLIANT' PROTEAS T20I DEBUT

Pretoria Capitals allrounder Senuran Muthusamy showed off all his experience on his Proteas T20I debut against New Zealand at the Harare Sports Club.

Muthusamy, 31, was finally rewarded for his years of toil on the domestic circuit. The left-arm spinner was the leading wicket-taker with nine scalps at an average of 20.77 at an economy of 7.19 for the Capitals during Betway SA20 Season 3.

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Proteas T20I captain and MI Cape Town top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen introduced Muthusamy into the attack in the eighth over of the Black Caps’ innings.

He immediately showed his control and accuracy and was rewarded with a first T20I wicket within his opening over. 

Muthusamy deceived Mitchell Hay with a length ball that skidded into the right-hander’s pads to beat his back-foot defence. 

After long deliberation, the umpire eventually raised his finger to Muthusamy’s delight. 

The early wicket allowed Muthusamy to settle into a solid spell as he continued to deceive the Black Caps with his control and deceptions of flight to finish with the impressive figures of 4-0-19-1.

"It was brilliant, he didn't have much spin to work with," Van der Dussen said.

"Brilliant bowler, played with his pace and his line."

Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince was also full of praise for the left-arm spinner.

"I felt we bowled really well. The plans were pretty good. Sen Muthusamy on debut, I think he bowled four overs for 19 and took one for 19, so that was outstanding," said Prince.

Unfortunately, Muthusamy’s efforts were not enough to drive the Proteas to victory with the Black Caps ultimately emerging victorious by 21 runs.

MI Cape Town duo Dewald Brevis once again delivered an entertaining cameo of 35 off 18 balls (1x4, 3x6) and had support from his MICT teammate George Linde (30 off 20 balls, 1x4, 2x6), but the loss of regular wickets saw the chase fall short.

"Our bowlers did their part, but we couldn't get it together with the bat. But in saying that there's a certain way we want to play," Van der Dussen said.

"Got to take the rough with the smooth. That's why these kinds of series are there to try new guys."

The Proteas are in action again on Sunday when they face hosts Zimbabwe.