South Africa and Sri Lanka produced an intriguing battle on the opening day of the second Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. Opting to bat first, the hosts discovered themselves in early bother earlier than Ryan Rickelton’s maiden century and Temba Bavuma’s aggressive knock introduced them again into the sport. Nevertheless, a spirited fightback from Sri Lanka within the ultimate session left South Africa precariously positioned at 269 for 7 by stumps.
Ryan Rickelton’s maiden ton steadies South Africa
Rickelton’s first Check century was the spotlight of an exhilarating first day. The left-hander showcased great composure throughout his 101-run knock, holding South Africa’s innings collectively after early blows. Supported by Bavuma’s counterattacking 78, Rickelton ensured the hosts stayed aggressive regardless of frequent setbacks.
Early wickets give Sri Lanka the sting
Sri Lanka struck early after Asitha Fernando trapped Toni de Zorzi lbw with a low full toss in simply the second over, sending him again for a golden duck. Aiden Markram adopted quickly after, bowled by Lahiru Kumara’s supply that jagged again sharply. Kumara continued his high quality spell by dismissing Tristan Stubbs, lowering the hosts to a precarious 44 for 3.
Temba Bavuma and Rickelton revive the innings
Bavuma and Rickelton steadied the innings with a significant 133-run stand for the fourth wicket. Bavuma performed an attacking model of cricket, pulling and driving with authority, significantly in opposition to Prabath Jayasuriya. In the meantime, Rickelton performed a extra measured innings, discovering his rhythm after the preliminary strain. Bavuma’s counterattacking knock of 78 ended simply earlier than lunch when he gloved a brief supply from Asitha to the keeper.
South Africa lose floor within the center session
The hosts struggled to take care of momentum after lunch, with David Bedingham enduring a troublesome keep on the crease. He survived two dropped possibilities earlier than being bowled by Jayasuriya for 9. Regardless of the setback, Rickelton anchored the innings as soon as once more, this time forming a 77-run partnership with Kyle Verryenne. The pair took benefit of errant lengths from Sri Lankan bowlers to maintain the scoreboard ticking.
Additionally WATCH: SA vs SL – Lahiru Kumara picks his a centesimal Check wicket with an unplayable supply to Aiden Markram
Sri Lanka’s late strikes shift momentum
Rickelton, who displayed resilience and ability all through the day, introduced up his maiden Check century with a single to mid-on. Nevertheless, his dismissal for 101, edging Kumara to gully within the penultimate over, turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor. Marco Jansen adopted go well with, inside-edging a supply from Vishwa Fernando onto his stumps. Kyle Verryenne remained unbeaten on 48, however Sri Lanka ended the day with the momentum firmly of their grasp.
Right here is how Twitter reacted:
Hundred for Mumbai Indians blood Ryan Rickelton. He has arrived. pic.twitter.com/5qUO1MWmZo
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 5, 2024
Maiden Check Century for Ryan Rickelton 🔥🔥🔥🔥
It has been a brilliantly measured, hard-grafting knock that ought to do his confidence the world of fine
He has performed this in First-Class cricket for years, hopefully that is the beginning of the identical in Check cricket for him! 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/0JONrMxyte
— Werner (@Werries_) December 5, 2024
Ryan Rickelton:
“My Dad will likely be extraordinarily proud. He was the one taking me to the nets as a 6 12 months outdated. He will be so completely happy”
♥ #CricketTwitter #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/fQ6LxL4BTL
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 5, 2024
HUNDRED BY RYAN RICKLETON. 🌟
– An outstanding Check century in opposition to Sri Lanka. He is been picked by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. pic.twitter.com/YlRlFUkjJa
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 5, 2024
Maiden worldwide hundred for MI Blood
Ryan Rickelton for South Africa. 💙👏 pic.twitter.com/I2LSXQ1Vez— Un-Fortunate (@Luckyytweets) December 5, 2024
ℝ𝕀ℂ𝕂𝔼𝕃𝐓𝐎𝐍 🔥
Maiden Worldwide 💯 for Ryan and it has been a particular one!#SAvSL #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/89knY4NXq5
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 5, 2024
Pure aid for Ryan Rickelton. pic.twitter.com/kihfZPzzAK
— Simon Borchardt (@SimonBorchardt) December 5, 2024
Maiden hundred for Ryan Rickelton and what an innings it’s been! 👏 #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/V4d4rnxmbB
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) December 5, 2024
Ryan Rickelton obtained his maiden Check 💯 as SA ended Day 1 on 269-7
Temba Bavuma together with his third fifty-plus rating in a row! #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/SqHNV4xkvm
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 5, 2024
Maiden Check Century
Quinton de Kock – eighth Check match
Ryan Rickelton – eighth Check match*#SAvsSL pic.twitter.com/Gsao9VfC8J— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) December 5, 2024
What a day of Check cricket at St. George’s Park! 👌 Temba Bavuma’s third consecutive 50+rating, Ryan Rickelton’s maiden Check ton, and Lahiru Kumara’s a centesimal Check wicket. Can’t await tomorrow! #SAvSL @7polly7 @VDP_24 @Tipo_Morris @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/dCBaIG4SXO
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) December 5, 2024
SA vs SL
SL struck twice late on the opening day to drag again the momentum and restrict SA to 269 for 7 on Thursday at St George’s Park. Ryan Rickelton’s maiden 100, sandwiched by a flurry of wickets on both finish of the day, left the 2nd Check in stability.#SAvSL pic.twitter.com/xk9aNbd3uc
— Ankit (@cheapselector) December 5, 2024
