Jofra Archer shines in comeback match as MI Cape Town defeat Paarl Royals

Archer picked up 3 for 27 – his first T20 wickets since March 2021 – to help his side to an eight-wicket win in the SA20 opener

Cape Town: Paarl Royals 142-7, MI Cape Town 143-2 – MI Cape Town won by eight wickets

Scorecard

Jofra Archer enjoyed a fairy-tale return to action in the opening match of the 2023 SA20, taking three wickets as MI Cape Town defeated Paarl Royals by eight wickets.

Due to a series of back and elbow injuries, the 27-year-old hadn't made a competitive appearance since July 2021 while his most recent T20 wickets came back in March 2021, when he picked up four against India in Ahmedabad.

However, he struck with just his third delivery of the day to remove Wihan Lubbe (caught George Linde) in the second over. Jason Roy and Dane Vilas also made early exits as Paarl Royals limped to 58 for 3 at the 10-over mark.

^{Jos Buttler scored a half-century [SA20]}

Jos Buttler, however, marked his SA20 debut with a half-century (51 off 42) and shared a 48-run fourth-wicket stand off 36 balls with David Miller to reinject some hope into his side's innings. After dragging the Royals into triple figures, he departed in the 16th over, bowled by his compatriot Olly Stone (2 for 31).

Miller and Eoin Morgan maintained a semblance of momentum, putting on 29 runs for the fifth wicket, but three wickets in the final two overs - Miller and Ferisco Adams were removed by Archer with consecutive deliveries while Morgan was runout off the last ball – prevented the Royals from doing much damage at the death.

Archer finished with figures of 3 for 27, bowling 12 dot balls and conceding two fours and one six.

In reply, Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton made a significant dent in MI Cape Town's chase, sharing 90 runs for the first wicket before Rickelton was bowled by Ramon Simmonds for 42 (33): 53 required off 56 deliveries.

Sam Curran departed a few overs later, removed by Codi Yusuf for 20 (16), but it was nothing more than a consolation for the Royals, who succumbed to defeat with 27 balls remaining.

Brevis finished unbeaten on 70 (41), including four fours and five sixes, while Rassie van der Dussen scored eight not out.