Rickelton, Bavuma punish Pak
Ryan Rickelton struck a career-best unbeaten 176 and his captain Temba Bavuma scored 106 as South Africa pummelled Pakistan’s seamers at Newlands to finish the first day of the second and final Test on 316/4 on Friday.
The pair put on 235 in 53.5 overs for the fourth wicket after Pakistan had picked up three scalps late in the first session, but then toiled after lunch under the baking hot sun. Rickelton will resume on the second morning with David Bedingham, who is unbeaten on four.
The left-handed opener was elevated from the No. 3 position due to an injury to Tony de Zorzi, and took his chance to score a second Test century after his first against Sri Lanka last month. His marathon effort has lasted 232 balls with 21 fours and a six after South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat.
“I’m stoked, to get 170-odd is special for me,” Rickelton said. “My plan was to just keep it simple, stand still and play straight. It’s been a good day for us, Temba was superb. With how brittle the surface (of the wicket) is underneath, we need to get as many runs as we can in this first innings.”
Rickelton and Aiden Markram put on 61 for the first wicket before the latter was caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off the bowling of Khurram Shahzad for 17. Wiaan Mulder made five before he gave a simple chance to Rizwan off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas, and the keeper claimed his third victim the ball before lunch as Tristan Stubbs edged spinner Salman Agha having failed to score. Bavuma scored his fourth Test ton to continue his excellent form.
