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SA Looks Beyond Ryan Rickelton As Kyle Verreynne Shines With Ton Against Sri Lanka

Soumyajit Dutta

Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton smashes tons against Sri Lanka [Source: @_mkverma/X.com]Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton smashes tons against Sri Lanka [Source: @_mkverma/X.com]

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After a convincing victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka, South Africa has continued to pile on the pressure in the second Test. Led by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas have already posted an impressive first-innings total of 358 runs, thanks to solid contributions from Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne and the skipper, Bavuma himself.

Will South Africa let go off Rickelton?

Notably, the outstanding form of Verreynne is raising eyebrows regarding Ryan Rickelton's place in the Test team. While Rickelton has shown glimpses of potential, with a fresh ton against Sri Lanka, his inconsistency is becoming a concern. His Test average of 22.40 pales in comparison to the other top-order batters in the South African lineup.

On the other hand, Verreynne has been in sensational form, scoring fresh unbeaten 105 runs off 133 balls in the second Test against Sri Lanka. His performance showcased his maturity and patience for building long innings. With an average of 29.03, Verreynne is proving to be a more reliable option than Rickelton, further solidified by his century in the recent Bangladesh Test.

The rise of young batters like Tristan Stubbs, alongside seasoned campaigners like Temba Bavuma, adds depth and diversity to South Africa's batting order. These players have the ability to make significant contributions, making it harder for Rickelton to secure a top-order spot in the long term.

South Africa's emphasis may shift toward players who offer versatility and can deliver match-winning performances. While Rickelton has excelled in domestic cricket, with impressive stats of 46.23 in 76 List A matches and an average of 49.10 in 62 First-Class matches, his international credentials remain in question, and he may need more time to find his footing.

Proteas dominates Sri Lanka with powerful first inning 

In the ongoing Test at St. George's Park, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. They managed to compile a hefty first-innings total of 358 runs, with both Rickelton and Verreynne scoring centuries and Bavuma providing crucial support with his 78.

For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Kumara has been the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 79 runs. Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando also pitched in with 3 and 2 wickets, respectively, as they managed to dismiss the Proteas within 104 overs.