South Africa has positioned themselves in a strong position against Pakistan on Day 1 of the second test against Pakistan at Newlands in Capetown. The hosts ended the day on 316/4, with Ryan Rickelton (176*) and David Bedingham (4*) at the crease.
The Proteas came into this test on the back of a thrilling victory in the opening test by two wickets. With the win, they ensured their qualification to the WTC final. Irrespective of this game’s result, they are guaranteed to stake a claim for the ultimate prize.
The Temba Bavuma-led side won the toss and opted to bat first on a bright, sunny day. Rickelton was the major run-scorer in his opening stand with Aiden Markram. The southpaw got the side going with odd boundaries, while Markram was happy to play as a second fiddle.
Markram received a reprive but couldn’t make the most of it, as Khurram Shahzad made him caught behind for 17 off 40. The in-form pacer Mohammad Abbas soon induced an edge of Wiaan Mulder (5).
Salman Agha secured a healthy edge from Tristan Stubbs, who tried to punch the ball towards the mid-off region, instead was caught by keeper Mohammad Rizwan. At Lunch, South Africa was at 72/3.
Thereafter, captain Temba Bavuma arrived at No. 5 for South Africa and changed the complexion of the game with his positive strokeplay. In particular, Bavuma flicked the balls in a fine fashion to get things going for the side. Meanwhile, Rickelton was impressive with his cover and straight drives.
Rickelton reached his second hundred in the test format, with a boundary towards the fine leg region. At the tea break, South Africa closed out at 184/3. The second session saw them score 112 runs at a run rate of 4.12.
Bavuma-Rickelton continued their strong showing in 3rd session
Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma continued their impressive momentum after the tea session as well. Bavuma used his feet quite well against Salman Agha on two occasions and sent them into the stands for maximums to accelerate the team’s scorecard.
Meanwhile, Rickelton got into the act by securing a six and a four off Aamer Jamal to showcase his positive intent. Soon, Bavuma recorded his fourth Test ton by nudging the ball towards the square-leg region.
Agha induced an edge of Bavuma to get him caught to keeper Rizwan for a well-compiled knock of 106 off 179 balls. The 235-run stand between Bavuma and Rickelton is now the fourth-highest partnership in South Africa vs Pakistan Tests. Meanwhile, the duo has so far garnered 608 runs together as a pair at an average of 76.
South Africa finished Day 1 on 316/4, with Ryan Rickelton (176*) and David Bedingham (4*) at the crease. There hasn’t been much assistance from the surface for Pakistan bowlers, and they would look to do work hard to wrap up the hosts’ innings.
