Brief score: SA 269/7 [Rickelton 101, Bavuma 78; Lahiru 13-2-54-3] at Stumps on Day 1
Asitha Fernando got Sri Lanka off to a dream start with an inswinging yorker that trapped Ton de Zorzi plumb in front and sent him on his way for a golden duck. Lahiru Kumara added to the misery shortly after by crashing through Aiden Markram’s booming drive after a promising 20 and added a second victim in Tristan Stubbs when the all-format batter tried to go hard at a widish delivery. With the team reeling at 44/3, Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton picked up the slack to guide the team safely through to Lunch at 82/3 while looking as comfortable as ever.
The run-scoring affair continued after the break as Bavuma played aggressor while Rickelton kept the Lions at bay, the duo bringing up their respective half-centuries in a 133-run stand. Frustrated by the lack of penetration, the visiting quicks resroted to a bouncer barrage at the stroke of Tea and the plan reaped dividends in no time when Bavuma top-edged a 121ks Asitha bumper straight to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps.
Resuming after Tea at 179/4, David Bedingham experienced an adventurous 19-ball stay in the centre where he top-edged the ball twice only to be dropped before charging down the stumps against Prabath Jayasuriya and getting his leg-stump shattered. Meanwhile, Rickelton kept plugging away at the other end and in Kyle Verreyne found another reliable partner to stitch together a partnership. The two added 77-runs for the sixth wicket, featuring a maiden Test ton for the former off 232 deliveries. However, in the last few minutes of the day, Lahiru managed to get the centurion caught at gully before a Vishwa Fernando ripper cleaned up Marco Jansen to signal the day’s end, with Verreyne unbeaten on 48 at Stumps.
I tell you what that was a peach to get rid of Marco Jansen🔥#SAvSL
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 5, 2024
Maiden one
𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧 🏏🇿🇦
Ryan Rickleton gets his first test century for the Proteas! 100 runs from 231 balls.
He survived a scare on 98! 😂
👊🏾 🔥🏏#SAvSL #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/Rm3oul0k8V— Luyolo Mkalipi (@mkalipi_luyolo) December 5, 2024
Century
CENTURY FROM RYAN RICKLETON…!!
– A Fantastic Hundred From Ryan Rickleton Against Sri Lanka👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/WNCVIjbTZR— Cricholics (@WeCrickholics) December 5, 2024
RYAN RICKELTON 💯!!!!
What a knock this has been!! A Maiden test ton!!! Such an impressive innings at number 3🔥
Ryan Rickelton has arrived people!! This is yhe quality this guy possess 👌🔥
My stocks in him just keeps on growing 🙌
Quality player man!!#SAvSL pic.twitter.com/nS3z1mi1dW— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) December 5, 2024
Fantastic
Too good
Maiden Test 50 For Ryan Rickleton 👏 👏.
Came at 0-1 and faced the new ball. pic.twitter.com/4wE3FwsFOQ— Yash Jain (@yashjain4163) December 5, 2024
Ryan Rickleton at three is a really good move. Coaching staff providing an opportunity that he is familiar with at the Lions. Hope it comes off positively.
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) December 5, 2024
Nice
Nicely played Ryan Rickleton – patience personified and fully deserved! Enjoy the moment
— Pierre Joubert (@Jiggs_7) December 5, 2024
Wait continues
Maiden test 100 for Ryan Rickleton
Years of waiting to get his chance
Failed in 1st 12 innings
Gets an opportunity in the xi due to injury to Mulder
Gets to bat at 3 and makes most of it— Pricviz (@Pric_viz_) December 5, 2024
HUNDRED BY RYAN RICKLETON. 🌟
He’s been picked by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. pic.twitter.com/gtmiuKIj9v— The sports (@the_sports_x) December 5, 2024
