Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Friday, 6 December 2024 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
On a day where the honours were shared Ryan Rickelton, a surprise selection to replace injured all-rounder Wiaan Mulder justified it with a top-notch maiden Test century as South Africa ended day one of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka played at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha yesterday on 269-7 by the close.
Rickelton walked in at number 3 when Tony de Zorzi fell to the first ball of the second over to Asitha Fernando without scoring, and he hardly put a foot wrong. South Africa was in trouble at 44-3, but Rickelton steadied the innings along with skipper Temba Bavuma, the pair adding 133 for the fourth wicket before Bavuma threw his wicket away on the stroke of tea.
David Bedingham had a charmed life as Sri Lanka’s catching hit a low level as Vishwa Fernando and then Dinesh Chandimal let him off at 1 and 5 with Asitha Fernando being the bowler at the receiving end on both occasions. However, Bedingham didn’t make Sri Lanka pay as he fell to Prabath Jayasuriya for 6.
Kyle Verreynne joined Rickelton in another useful stand of 77 with the former reaching his maiden Test century off 231 balls (11 fours). A free-flowing batsman, Rickleton curbed his natural instincts to play a responsible innings for his team. But just when South Africa needed him to stay unbeaten he fell to the second new ball which also saw the downfall of Marco Jansen enabling Sri Lanka to get back into the game.
At 98, Rickelton had his heart in his mouth when he was given out lbw to Vishwa Fernando but he survived the decision on review as replays showed a spike that he had got an inside edge.
The afternoon proved a near perfect session for South Africa till their captain Bavuma fell to the short ball ploy adopted by Sri Lanka when things were not going their way. Bavuma and Rickelton were in complete control with each of them completing their respective fifties and in the process stitching up a 133-run fourth wicket stand. South Africa was cruising at that stage not giving Sri Lanka even a half chance to get them out, until close to the tea break Bavuma fell to the trap and attempting to hook Asitha Fernando gloved a catch to Kusal Mendis to give Sri Lanka the breakthrough they were desperately looking for. Bavuma scored 78 off 109 balls (8 fours, 1 six) – his third consecutive score of over 50 on his return from a seven-week layoff from an injured elbow.
Sri Lanka who went unchanged from the first Test started the match on a high after losing the toss when Asitha Fernando with his first ball sent back Zorzi for a duck. Aiden Markram and Rickelton steadied the innings but Lahiru Kumara went through Markram’s defences to break the stand and pick up his 100th Test wicket to become the fifth Sri Lankan fast bowler to reach the landmark after Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, and Suranga Lakmal. Kumara celebrated that occasion by taking the wicket of first Test century maker Tristan Stubbs who edged a catch behind the wicket to have South Africa in a spot of bother at 44-3. But Rickelton and Bavuma ensured Sri Lanka didn’t win the first session by taking the team to 82-3 at lunch. Bavuma coming out with a positive intent kept the scoreboard ticking while Rickelton curbed his natural game and kept one end occupied.
