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Ryan Rickelton, stepping up to open the batting in place of the injured Tony de Zorzi, and Temba Bavuma, in the form of his career, produced a dominant display on day one at Newlands. Both players scored centuries, leading South Africa’s response after a challenging morning session in which they lost three wickets. Their partnership […]
Ryan Rickelton, stepping up to open the batting in place of the injured Tony de Zorzi, and Temba Bavuma, in the form of his career, produced a dominant display on day one at Newlands. Both players scored centuries, leading South Africa’s response after a challenging morning session in which they lost three wickets. Their partnership proved a turning point, with Rickelton’s 115 and Bavuma’s 102 powering the team.
The duo’s 235-run stand not only halted Pakistan’s momentum but also set a new record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership by South African batsmen against Pakistan, and at Newlands. This partnership highlighted South Africa’s resilience, grinding down Pakistan’s bowlers on a perfect day for batting.
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Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma formed a formidable partnership, playing perfectly complementary roles at Newlands. Rickelton, with his commanding 176 runs, dominated the off-side, scoring 102 runs in that region, while Bavuma, who scored 102 runs of his own, focused on the on-side with excellent flicks and pulls. The pair produced a series of exquisite drives, with Rickelton finding success straight down the ground, while Bavuma made the most of the pull shot. Their stand was a testament to their excellent technique and ability to adapt to the conditions.
The flat pitch, which is playing significantly better than the same strip did last year, helped facilitate the high run tally. This year, the pitch has been much more placid, with fewer irregularities and far less assistance for the bowlers. Pakistan’s attack, lacking genuine pace, failed to put enough pressure on the batting duo, allowing them to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions. The contrast to last year’s Test at Newlands, when 23 wickets fell on the opening day, underlined how much the pitch had improved. This year, the surface is expected to play better for batting for the next day and a half.
Despite the ease of conditions, Rickelton and Bavuma still had to convert their starts into substantial scores, and they did so impressively. Pakistan’s day was marred by an early setback, as Saim Ayub was injured while fielding, twisting his ankle. Ayub was taken to the hospital for scans, and the PCB confirmed he would not take part in the match again, with specialists in London to assess his injury. Pakistan’s shoulders drooped after Ayub’s injury, but they rallied in the final 40 minutes of the morning session, taking three crucial wickets. Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and Tristan Stubbs all fell, having initially seen off Mohammad Abbas’ early threat.
Abbas, who had delivered a career-best 6 for 54 in his previous match, was a constant threat with the new ball. He got close to taking Markram’s wicket early on, with the umpire’s call review showing the ball was only clipping the top of off stump. Rickelton, the more aggressive of the openers, struck seven boundaries, leading the opening stand to a solid 61 runs. However, there was drama when a potential chance came for Markram when he drove Shahzad loosely to substitute fielder Abdullah Shafique, who was under pressure after three ducks in the ODIs. Markram survived at 17, but the partnership was interrupted, signaling a pivotal shift in the game.
Pakistan failed to capitalize on their morning breakthroughs, allowing South Africa to regroup in the second session. After Markram’s wicket fell to Abbas and Mulder’s edge was collected by Rizwan, Pakistan claimed another before lunch when Stubbs edged a delivery from part-time spinner Salman Agha to Rizwan. Despite the flurry of wickets, Pakistan squandered the opportunity to build on their momentum after the break. They stuck with Aamer Jamal and Agha, allowing Bavuma to settle in. Bavuma began his innings with a boundary off Jamal and, soon after, found his rhythm with a series of beautiful drives.
South Africa capitalized on Pakistan’s decision to persist with the same bowlers, with Rickelton progressing steadily into the 90s. He picked up two quick boundaries off Shahzad and reached his hundred with a well-timed shot off Agha. Bavuma, too, was in fine form, bringing up his fifty off 82 balls. By tea, South Africa had reached 184 for 3, with both batsmen looking in complete control. The pair had effectively nullified the threat from Pakistan, and the session left the visitors pondering whether they should have used their strike bowlers more aggressively.
The evening session saw South Africa’s dominance continue, with both Rickelton and Bavuma playing with confidence. Bavuma launched the first six of the innings, sending Agha over mid-wicket, and Rickelton followed suit with a six of his own. Rickelton continued to pile on the runs, bringing up his 150 with a superb cover drive off Khurram, while Bavuma edged closer to his century. Bavuma reached the milestone seven overs later, celebrating with visible emotion before being dismissed just 17 minutes before the close of play. Since becoming captain, Bavuma has been in outstanding form, scoring three of his four Test centuries and averaging 57.78.
Rickleton and Bedingham held firm as the day drew to a close, with Pakistan finishing the day 10 overs short of the required 90. South Africa’s relentless batting performance ensured they were in a dominant position, while Pakistan’s failure to capitalize on early breakthroughs left them with much to do in the coming sessions.