January 4, 2025

Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma Propel South Africa on Day One

A remarkable 235-run partnership wears Pakistan down after morning-session setbacks. Ryan Rickelton, filling in for the injured Tony de Zorzi as an opener, and Temba Bavuma, in the form of his life, both struck centuries on a perfect batting day at Newlands. The pair’s 235-run stand became the highest fourth-wicket partnership by a South African duo against Pakistan at Newlands.

The partnership saw Rickelton dominate the offside, scoring 102 of his 176 runs there, while Bavuma excelled on the onside, punishing the pull and flick shots. Their elegant drives were a joy to watch, with Rickelton’s timing on the straight hits complementing Bavuma’s finesse on the pull. The high run rate reflected not only the flat pitch but also Pakistan’s lack of genuine pace, with the surface playing significantly better than the previous year, when the match ended in just 107 overs and 23 wickets fell. This time, the pitch remains placid, offering more promise for the batsmen in the coming days.

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Ricketon and Bavuma Shine as Pakistan Struggles After Ayub’s Injury

Despite the favorable conditions, Rickelton and Bavuma still had to make their runs. They showcased excellent batting against a Pakistan side that was dealt an early blow when Saim Ayub sustained what turned out to be a match-ending ankle injury while fielding. Ayub was immediately taken to the hospital for scans, and the PCB later confirmed that he would not participate further in the Test. The extent of his injury would be assessed by specialists in London. His departure had a clear impact on the Pakistani side’s morale.

Pakistan managed to recover well, however, taking three wickets in the final 40 minutes of the morning session. Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder (promoted to No.3), and Tristan Stubbs were left to rue their shot selections after surviving Mohammad Abbas’ initial spell. Abbas, who had a stellar performance with a career-best 6 for 54 at SuperSport Park the previous week, looked threatening as he opened the bowling at Newlands. Markram was lucky to survive an early lbw appeal when replays showed Abbas’ delivery was only clipping the top of the off-stump, which kept him in the game on umpire’s call.

Rickelton was the more aggressive of the opening pair, striking seven boundaries compared to Markram’s three in a 61-run opening partnership. Rickelton did offer one chance when an edge off Khurram Shahzad fell short of second slip. Pakistan was unable to capitalize, and the pair went on to post South Africa’s highest first-wicket partnership since March 2023. Against the run of play, Markram later offered a chance when he drove Shahzad loosely to substitute fielder Abdullah Shafique, who, under pressure after having missed three consecutive ducks in the ODIs, dropped the catch, and Markram remained on 17.

Pakistan Strikes Early, But South Africa Dominates After Lunch

No real damage was done, however, as Markram’s luck ran out in the next over. He slashed at a delivery that moved away and inside-edged through to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Mohammad Abbas, returning after a seven-over break, soon found the outside edge of Wiaan Mulder’s bat to give Pakistan their second wicket. Pakistan claimed another scalp just before lunch when Tristan Stubbs, staying back to a tossed-up delivery from part-time spinner Salman Agha, edged the ball to Rizwan, sending Pakistan into the break with a 3-wicket haul.

Following lunch, Pakistan squandered the opportunity to capitalize on their momentum by sticking with Aamer Jamal and Agha at either end, instead of bringing in one of their strike bowlers. This allowed Temba Bavuma to settle in comfortably. Bavuma got his first runs when he guided Jamal to deep third and then unleashed a series of elegant drives, continuing his excellent form from earlier in the summer. Pakistan’s bowling lacked sting, and they gave South Africa easy scoring opportunities with a spread field and a mix of lengths.

As the session progressed, Rickelton moved into the 60s and then reached the 90s with back-to-back boundaries off Shahzad. With Bavuma maintaining strike, Rickelton worked quietly toward his century, and when Agha bowled a delivery on his pads, he whipped it away for a quick single to bring up his second century in three Tests. Bavuma soon followed, raising his half-century off 82 balls. By tea, South Africa were comfortably placed at 184 for 3.

The evening session belonged entirely to South Africa as both Rickelton and Bavuma capitalized on the flat pitch. Bavuma launched the first six of the innings, smashing Agha over mid-wicket, and Pakistan may have regretted not deploying a specialist spinner for a holding role. Rickelton followed suit with a six of his own, taking 14 runs off Jamal in one over. Rickelton reached 150 with a cover-driven four off Khurram, and Bavuma, 11 runs away from his century, brought it up seven overs later with a single off Jamal, celebrating wildly. However, Bavuma’s excitement may have gotten the best of him as he edged Agha to Rizwan just before the close of play. Since taking over as captain, Bavuma has scored three of his four Test centuries and averages 57.78. Rickelton and Bedingham saw South Africa through to the close of play, with Pakistan finishing 10 overs short of the required 90.

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