Rickelton’s debut 100 helps South Africa to 269/7 vs probing Sri Lanka bowling

 


Ryan Rickelton’s maiden Test century anchored South Africa’s recovery on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha. The Proteas closed the day at 269 for seven, gaining a slight edge, with Rickelton’s gritty 101 supported by Temba Bavuma’s 78 and an unbeaten 48 from Kyle Verreynne.


Rickelton, a composed left-hander, faced 250 deliveries and struck 11 boundaries in a determined six-hour innings that helped steady the ship after a disastrous start. South Africa, choosing to bat first, stumbled to 44 for three as Tony de Zorzi departed for a golden duck to Asitha Fernando, while Aiden Markram (20) and Tristan Stubbs (4) fell to Lahiru Kumara’s disciplined bowling.


The rebuilding process began with Rickelton and Bavuma forming a vital 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bavuma, who has been in fine touch this series, reached his 23rd Test half-century but fell for 78, attempting an aggressive shot off Fernando shortly before the tea break.


Post-tea, the Proteas lost David Bedingham cheaply, bowled by Prabath Jayasuriya after an ill-judged attempt to step down the pitch. At 186 for five, South Africa was in a precarious position, but Rickelton stood firm, forging a crucial 59-run stand with Verreynne. As the session progressed, Rickelton reached his landmark century with a well-run double, becoming the 10th South African batter to score a Test hundred in the past year.


His innings, marked by resilience and composure, came to an end when Kumara secured his third wicket, dismissing him for 101 after 373 minutes at the crease. The Proteas lost Marco Jansen for 4 on the final ball of the day, bowled by Vishwa Fernando, leaving Verreynne unbeaten on 48.


Despite early troubles, Rickelton’s memorable knock and solid contributions from the middle order have given South Africa a solid foundation. As day two looms, Sri Lanka will aim to wrap up the innings quickly and make their mark with the bat.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Temples - Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur (Andhra Pradesh)- Highlights

Image
  Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, located at Tiruchanur near Tirupati, is one of the most revered Shakti temples in South India. Dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi, the divine consort of Lord Venkateswara, this temple is an essential part of the Tirumala–Tirupati pilgrimage. Devotees traditionally visit Tiruchanur before or after darshan at Tirumala, considering the pilgrimage incomplete without seeking the Goddess’s blessings. History (in Detail) The origins of the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and ancient scriptures. According to legend: Goddess Padmavathi, an incarnation of Mahalakshmi, emerged from a golden lotus (Padma) in a lotus pond (Padma Sarovaram) at Tiruchanur. She was discovered and nurtured by Akasaraja, the ruler of the region. Later, Lord Venkateswara married Padmavathi Devi, symbolizing prosperity, harmony, and divine union. Historically, the temple finds references in Puranas, Vaishnava texts, and inscriptions from the Pallava, C...
Read more

Desserts : Kosar Laddu - How to make this Indian festive sweet item

Image
  Kosar Laddu is a traditional homemade sweet that stands out for its simplicity and rich, rustic flavour. Made with rice flour, jaggery, ghee and aromatic fennel, this laddu is soft, mildly sweet and perfect for festive occasions or as a comforting treat with tea. Ingredients : 1 cup rice flour ½ cup jaggery ½ cup ghee A pinch of salt 1 teaspoon fennel seed powder 1 cup milk Method : First, sift the rice flour thoroughly and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add the ghee, salt and fennel seed powder, and mix well. Gradually add milk as required and knead to form a smooth dough. Ensure that the dough is neither too soft nor too stiff. Once the dough is ready, grease your palms lightly with ghee. Take small portions of the dough and shape them into round laddus, just as you would make traditional laddus by hand. Your Kosar Laddus are now ready to be served.
Read more

Indian Temples : Thousand Pillar Temple, Warangal (Telangana)- Highlights

Image
  The Thousand Pillar Temple, located in Hanamakonda, Warangal, is one of the finest examples of Kakatiya architecture and a masterpiece of medieval South Indian temple design. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya, this historic shrine stands as a symbol of the artistic brilliance and religious harmony of the Kakatiya dynasty. Recognized as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temple is an architectural and spiritual landmark of Telangana. History (in Detail) The Thousand Pillar Temple was built in 1163 CE by Rudra Deva, the first prominent ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty. During this period, Warangal emerged as a major political, cultural, and religious center in the Deccan. Key historical points: The temple was constructed during the golden age of the Kakatiyas It was originally known as Rudreshwara Temple, named after King Rudra Deva The structure suffered damage during later invasions, particularly in the 14th century when the Delh...
Read more