December 5, 2024

Rickelton’s Maiden Century Boosts SA as Asitha and Kumara Keep Day 1 Balanced

Bavuma’s proactive approach and Verreynne’s steady performance prevented Sri Lanka’s effective pacers from disrupting the hosts’ innings. Ryan Rickelton, in just his eighth Test match, celebrated his maiden century, becoming the eighth South African batter to reach a hundred in 2024 on a day that was evenly contested at St George’s Park.

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Rickelton and Bavuma Stabilize South Africa After Early Struggles; Sri Lanka Eyes Late Breakthrough

After choosing to bat first in blustery conditions, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 44 for 3 during the morning session. However, a 133-run partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma, who registered his third consecutive score above fifty, helped the hosts regain control. South Africa was once again under pressure at 186 for 5, but Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne combined for 77 runs for the sixth wicket to stabilize the innings. Sri Lanka made a late push with two wickets before the close of play and will aim to dismiss South Africa for under 300, capitalizing on what are expected to be favorable batting conditions on day two.

Despite losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on a grass-covered pitch, Sri Lanka will be reasonably satisfied with their performance. Their seamers posed consistent challenges, with Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando extracting just enough movement early on, while Lahiru Kumara was used effectively in short bursts. The trio proved threatening with short-pitched deliveries. However, their efforts were hindered by two dropped chances and a few near-misses. Considering this pitch typically favors batting on the first day, Sri Lanka can take confidence from their showing.

Rickelton’s Solid Display and Bavuma’s Aggression Propel South Africa After Early Setbacks

South Africa’s decision to include an extra batter and position Ryan Rickelton at No. 3, his preferred spot, proved to be a smart move. This was Rickelton’s first time batting at No. 3 in Tests, a position where he boasts a domestic average of 60.68, and he demonstrated his suitability for the role. Brought in as early as the second over, Rickelton batted for the majority of the day, showing patience in the early stages before capitalizing on any width offered. He was dismissed with eight minutes left in the day’s play, edging a delivery from Lahiru Kumara outside off to gully. Despite the late setback, Rickelton’s innings underscored South Africa’s batting depth after their early struggles.

Asitha Fernando, who bowled after Vishwa Fernando, struck with his first ball, trapping Tony de Zorzi lbw with an inswinging yorker for a duck. De Zorzi reviewed the decision, but with both impact and wickets-projection deemed umpire’s calls, the original decision stood. Lahiru Kumara then reached a milestone as the fifth Sri Lankan seamer to take 100 Test wickets when he bowled Aiden Markram. Markram, attempting to drive a ball that nipped back in, was bowled after hitting four boundaries in his 20-run innings, showing a willingness to attack anything wide. Tristan Stubbs, playing his first Test at his home ground, soon followed, edged a wide delivery from Kumara to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, who took a fine catch moving to his right.

Bavuma, fresh off his century at Kingsmead, joined Rickelton and quickly made an impact, flicking the fifth ball he faced off Prabath Jayasuriya for four, bringing up South Africa’s fifty. He played several stylish strokes, including deft placements between second and third slip and cuts through point. Bavuma adapted well to the bounce and ended the morning session by launching Jayasuriya over midwicket for a six. After lunch, South Africa came out aggressively, scoring ten runs in the second over of the session. Bavuma was particularly dominant, driving forcefully and finding gaps through point, where he reached his fifty off just 57 balls—his second-fastest in Tests after his 52-ball fifty in the innings of his maiden hundred.

Rickelton’s Resilient Century and Late Struggles Define South Africa’s Day

Rickelton approached his innings with caution, taking 122 balls to reach fifty, never getting carried away even when facing the spinners seemed easier. As tea drew near, Sri Lanka’s strategy to introduce Asitha Fernando for a short-ball spell paid off. Bavuma attempted to hook the last delivery of Asitha’s 11th over but edged it to Kusal Mendis.

David Bedingham, who had survived until tea, came out with an aggressive intent. He tried to attack Asitha’s fifth delivery, sending it high over the on-side. Three fielders converged, and although Vishwa Fernando, stationed at deep midwicket, initially caught it, the chance slipped through his hands. Two overs later, Bedingham tried again, this time top-edging a short ball to fine leg, where Dinesh Chandimal was stationed but let the ball pass through him. Bedingham’s luck finally ran out when he advanced down the track to Prabath Jayasuriya, missed the slog, and was bowled.

Asitha nearly dismissed Verreynne in the following over, forcing an edge that didn’t stick. Runs became harder to come by after tea; South Africa managed just 17 runs in 12 overs, with Rickelton adding only four more to his tally before breaking the drought with a cover drive for four off Kumara. Verreynne adapted well to the crease, finding scoring opportunities, and the pair ran well as the second new ball approached. Rickelton reached 98 with a cover drive before being given out lbw to Vishwa. He reviewed the decision, seemingly reluctantly, but Ultra-Edge confirmed a spike. Just two balls later, Rickelton reached his hundred with a shot past Verreynne, marking a hard-fought 231-ball century to warm applause.

Sri Lanka immediately opted for the second new ball and soon reaped rewards when Vishwa finally dismissed Rickelton. Marco Jansen, in an aggressive response, smashed the first delivery he faced through the covers for four but was out on the final ball of the day, as Vishwa broke through his defenses to claim his second wicket of the innings.

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