BETWAY SA20 SUPERSTARS SET TO LIGHT UP MLC 'EL CLASICO'

Major League Cricket is braced for its first 'El Clasico' of Season 2 when MI New York face off against the Texas Super Kings at Church Street Park, Morrisville tonight at 9pm.

The biggest derby in T20 franchise cricket history has stretched all the way to the USA and the latest instalment is set to live up to all the hype and drama.

MI New York are, of course, the reigning champions having won the inaugural MLC title last season. 

They boast a host of Betway SA20 superstars in their squad, namely Nicholas Pooran (Durban’s Super Giants), Romario Shepherd (Joburg Super Kings), Anrich Nortje (Pretoria Capitals), Dewald Brevis, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada (all MI Cape Town). 

Dewald Brevis, Kieron Pollard, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada play for both MI Cape Town and MI New York.

They are also coached by MI Cape Town coach and former Proteas all-rounder Robin Peterson. 

All eyes will undoubtedly, though, be on Pooran with the West Indies dynamo continuing his pyrotechnics in Season 2 after his superlative performance in last season’s MLC Final. 

Pooran smashed a whirlwind 137 not out off just 55 balls to power MI New York to the title. 

There has been no let up with 62 not out against the Seattle Orcas and another 44 against the Washington Freedom flowing off Pooran’s blade already this season. He will no doubt be primed to continue his form against the Texas Super Kings tonight.

The MLC champions will also rely heavily on former MI Cape Town Rashid Khan to produce his magic with ball in hand. Rashid, fresh off a superb ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign where he led Afghanistan to a first-ever semi-final, has started MLC Season 2 in superb fashion. 

The mystery spinner claimed 3/22 in the opening game against the Seattle Orcas before delivering a miserly two-over spell for just 12 runs against the Washington Freedom. 

Faf du Plessis** turned back the clock with a superlative 58-ball century for Texas Super Kings against Washington Freedom.**

Rashid will certainly need to be on top form for the Texas Super Kings, particularly captain Faf du Plessis, are full of runs at the moment.

After a relatively quiet MLC Season 1, Du Plessis showed that he remains one of the premier T20 batters in the world despite inching closer to his 40th birthday.

The Joburg Super Kings skipper struck a 58-ball century against the Washington Freedom earlier this week.

Du Plessis will also be able to call on Marcus Stoinis’ muscle in the middle-order with the DSG all-rounder also carrying his imperious form from the ICC Men’s World T20 to the MLC.

Like MI Cape Town, the Super Kings will also rely on the Afghanistan pair of Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad to perform with the ball. The DSG duo are past masters of their craft and will surely test the MI New York batting line-up.