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South Africa and Sri Lanka produced an intriguing battle on the opening day of the second Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. Opting to bat first, the hosts found themselves in early trouble before Ryan Rickelton’s maiden century and Temba Bavuma’s a﷽ggressive knock brought them back into the game. However, a spirited fightback from Sri Lanka in the final session left South Africa precariously placed at 269 for 7 by🌼 stumps.
Ryan Rickelton’s maiden ton steadies South Africa
Rickelton’s first Test century was the highlight of a thrilling first day. The left-hander showcased tremendous composure d🍒uring his 101-run knock, holding South Africa’s innings together after early blows. Supꦛported by Bavuma’s counterattacking 78, Rickelton ensured the hosts stayed competitive despite frequent setbacks.
Early wickets give Sri Lanka the edge
Sri Lanka struck early after Asitha Fernando trapped Toni de Zorzi lbw with a low full toss in just the second over, sending him back for a golden duck. Aiden Markram followed soon after, bowled by Lahiru Kumara’s delivery that jagged back sharply. Kumara continued his fine spell by dismissing Tristan Stubbs, reducing the hosts to a precarious 44 for 3.
Temba Bavuma and Rickelton revive the innings
Bavuma and Rickelton steadied the innings with a vital 133-run stand for the fourth wicket. Bavuma played an attacking brand of cricket, pulling and driving with authority, particularly against Prabath Jayasuriya. Meanwhile, Rickelton played a more measur🌸ed innings, finding his rhythm after the initial pressure. Bavuma’s counterattacking knock of 78 ended just before lunch when he gloved a short delivery from Asitha to the keeper.
South Africa lose ground in the middle session
The hosts struggled to maintain momentum after lunch, with David Bedingham enduring a tough stay at the crease. He survived two dropped chances before being bowled by Jayasuriya for 9. Despite the setback, Rickelton anchored the innings once again, this time forming a 77-run partnership with Kyle Verryenne. The pair took advantage of errant lengths from Sri Lankan bowlers to keep the score♛board ticking.
Also WATCH: SA vs SL – Lahiru Kumara picks his 100th Test wicket with an unplayable delivery to Aiden Markram
Sri Lanka’s late strikes shift momentum
Rickelton, who displayed resilience and skill throughout the day, brought up his maiden Test century with a single to mid-on. However, his dismissal for 101, edging Kumara to gully in the penultimate over, turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor. Marco Jansen followed suit, inside-edging a delivery from Vishwa Fernando onto his stumps. Kyl༒e Verryenne remained unbeaten on 48, but Sri Lanka ended the day with the momentum firmly in their grasp.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Hundred f꧟or Mumbai Indians blood Ryan🌜 Rickelton. He has arrived.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
Maiden Test Century for Ryan Rickelton 🔥🔥🔥🔥
It has been a brilliantly measured, hard-graft🎀ing knock that should do his confidence the world of good
He has done this in First-Class cricket for years, hopefully this is the start of the same in Test cricket fo🙈r him! 💪🏻
— Werner (@Werries_)
Ryan Rickelton:
"My Dad will be extremely proud. He was the one taking me to the nets as a 6 year old. He's going to be so happy"
♥
— Lawrence Bailey𓃲 ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0)
HUNDRED BY RYAN RICKLETON. 🌟
– A superb Test century against Sri Lanka. He's been picked by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Maiden international hundred for MI Blood
Ryan Rickelton for South Africa. 💙👏— Un-Lucky (@Luckyytweets)
ℝ𝕀ℂ𝕂𝔼𝕃𝐓𝐎𝐍 🔥
Maiden♛ International 💯 for R🐬yan and it has been a special one!
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
Pure relief for Ryan Rickelton.
— Simon Borchardt (@SimonBorchardt)
Maiden hundred for Ryan Rickelton💧 and what an innings it’s been! 👏
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin)
Ryan Rickelton goꦬt his maiden Test 💯 as SA ended Day 1 on 269-7
Temba Bavuma with his 3rd 🔯fifty-plus score in a row!
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
Maiden Test Century
Quinton de Kock – 8th Test match
Ryan Rickelton – 8th Test match*— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar)
What a day of Test cricket at St. George’s Park! 👌 Temba Bavuma's third consecutive 50+score, Ryan Rickelton's maiden Test ton, and Lahiru Kumara’s 100th Test wicket. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo)
SA vs SL
SL struck twice late on the opening day to pull back the momentum and limit SA to 269 for 7 on Thursday at St George's Park. Ryan Rickelton's maiden 100, sandwiched by a flurry of wickets on either end of the day, left the 2nd Test in balance.
— Ankit (@cheapselector)
