GQEBERHA: Batsman Ryan Rickelton scored his maiden Test century as South Africa racked up 269-7 against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the second Test here at St George’s Park on Thursday.
Rickelton was brought into the team, after Wiaan Mulder’s injury in the first Test ruled him out, and he took his chance, but not before surviving a huge scare in the 98th minute.
The 28-year-old, playing in his eighth Test, was adjudged leg before wicket after a delivery that returned from Vishwa Fernando, but was rested when a review of the umpire’s decision showed a slight inside edge before the ball hit the pads.
Two balls later, Rickelton pressed on a couple of runs to bring up his maiden Test century off 231 balls, much to his obvious relief and the delight of the St George’s Park crowd.
He added just one more run before being dismissed when he was caught by Pathum Nissanka at Lahiru Kumara gully minutes short of the stumps.
Rickelton remained South Africa’s top scorer with 101 off 250 deliveries, studded with 11 boundaries.
Sri Lanka came back strongly after receiving the second new ball and even dismissed Marco Jansen for four off the last ball before the close.
The home side looked to have the upper hand as captain Temba Bavuma scored 78, while Kyle Verreynne was 48 not out at the end and will return on Friday alongside Keshav Maharaj.
Sri Lanka had the hosts struggling at 82-3 at lunch but Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton fought back and put on 133 runs for the fourth wicket before the captain was dismissed in the penultimate over before Tea.
He was tempted to take a series of short balls, eventually flicking it to Asitha Fernando’s rising delivery and giving away his wicket when he looked well prepared to press on and reach three figures.
Bavuma has had 23 Test years but has only reached a Test century three times.
David Bedingham followed cheaply for six despite being given two lives when he was dropped twice after rising deliveries to the sky.
But he continued with an aggressive approach and was bowled by spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, dancing at the wicket and missing a wild hit at the ball.
Before lunch, Kumara took his 100th Test wicket when he bowled Aiden Markram for 20 and followed it up with the dismissal of home favorite Tristan Stubbs, who fell behind by four runs.
Tony de Zorzi’s wicket was the first to fall when he was dismissed off the first ball, caught leg before wicket by Asitha Fernando early in the second over of the day.
Both countries are seeking victory to stay on track for a place in next year’s World Test Championship final.
South Africa lead the two-match series against Sri Lanka 1-0 thanks to their 233-run victory in the opening Test in Durban.
