Ryan Rickelton And Temba Bavuma`s Partnership Gave A Strong Hold To South Africa
Ryan Rickelton’s second Test century and Temba Bavuma’s fourth hundred in the format highlighted South Africa’s batting display at Newlands on Friday (January 3). Rickelton (172*) participated in a 235-run partnership with Bavuma (106) as South Africa concluded the first day of the second Test against Pakistan at 316/4, having bowled just 80 overs on the day.
The initial hour of play was fruitful for South Africa, spearheaded by Rickelton. He hit several sharp drives to secure consistent boundaries, while Aiden Markram also started scoring with two consecutive boundaries from Mir Hamza. In the meantime, Saim Ayub turned his ankle while fielding and needed assistance to leave the field, subsequently being taken to a hospital for imaging.
The discipline shown by Pakistan during the later stages of the first session diminished after lunch, as Aamer Jamal was conceding runs, getting hit for four fours in the first four overs he bowled in the second session. His substitute, Shahzad, similarly allowed several boundaries as the fourth wicket duo quickly accumulated a fifty partnership. Bavuma and Rickelton swiftly took advantage of anything in their area, whether it was short or full, showcasing a strong variety of shot-making.
Rickelton hit two consecutive fours against Shahzad to get into the 90s, and he then hit a boundary off Mohammad Abbas to reach 99. Before Rickelton hit the three-figure milestone with one glance off Agha for a four, there was increased excitement at the stadium as Bavuma took the majority of the strike for the next two overs. As both batters entered the tea break undefeated, the boundary also raised the century stand before Bavuma singled Abbas to reach fifty. During the session, Rickelton and Bavuma scored 112 runs at a rate of more than four.
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Temba Bavuma even hit a six over long-off off Agha as the fourth wicket pair’s impressive performance carried over into the final session. But shortly after, the skipper was observed limping, displaying mild discomfort from what seemed to be cramping, and required the physio’s care. Following that, he was able to continue taking away the stray balls and eventually raced down the track to hit Agha for a four and a six. Ryan Rickelton faced Jamal once more, hitting two fours and a six in an over before raising his bat for his first-ever 150 in Test cricket, which he reached with a four off Shahzad.
As Pakistan’s struggles continued, the pair lifted the double century stand after the drinks break, and Bavuma reached the nineties. The fact that Jamal bowled one of Bavuma’s pads, enabling him to tickle it for a four to reach 97, didn’t help either. He reached his century with a single off Jamal, making it the first time two batters have reached hundreds on the first day of a Test at Newlands since Asad Shafiq (111*) and Younis Khan (111) did so in February 2013. Late in the day, the South Africa captain nicked an Agha delivery to the ‘keeper, ending the huge stand and giving Pakistan some much-needed reprieve. South Africa reached Stumps thanks to Rickelton and David Bedingham.
