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SA vs SL Day 1 Highlights: Bavuma, Rickelton Ensure South Africa Take Opening Day Honours

Aakash Saini

South Africa seized early advantage over Sri Lanka [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/x]South Africa seized early advantage over Sri Lanka [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/x]

South Africa made a good recovery on the opening day of the series-deciding second Test after winning the toss and opting to bat first at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Ryan Rickelton hogged the limelight with the bat through a cunning century while skipper Temba Bavuma recorded his third-straight fifty-plus score of the series.

Here's the timeline of how SA vs SL panned out in Gqeberha:

SA vs SL Highlights: Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara Wreck SA Top-Order

Sri Lankan seamer Asitha Fernando trapped South African opener Tony de Zorzi for a first-ball duck in just the second over of the match. De Zorzi's opening partner Aiden Markram and number four batter Tristan Stubbs also fell in quick succession within the first hour of play to Lahiru Kumara's opening spell.

Kumara knocked over Markram for just 20 and nicked Stubbs towards wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis as South Africa crashed to 44-3 in 15.4 overs.

SA vs SL Highlights: Temba Bavuma Lifts South Africa With Rickelton

South African captain and Durban centurion Temba Bavuma recorded his third straight fifty-plus score of the series while forming a fighting 133-run partnership with number three Ryan Rickelton. Bavuma cracked 78 runs off 109 balls with eight boundaries and a six to navigate his team from a tottering 44-3 to a competitive 177-4 at the brink of Tea.

The elegant middle-order batter eventually nicked one behind off a short ball from Asitha Fernando to make his way back to the sheds during the penultimate over of the post-lunch session.

SA vs SL Highlights: Ryan Rickelton Ton Stamps South African Authority

Ryan Rickelton hauled his maiden Test century to top-score for South Africa in the first innings of the match. The 28-year-old cricketer faced 250 deliveries in his marathon knock and dispatched 11 of them for regal boundaries. His 133-run partnership with captain Temba Bavuma and another 77 runs with unbeaten Kyle Verreynne (48*) steered the Proteas past the 250-run mark before stumps.

Rickelton himself became Kumara's third victim of the day after making 101, while number six David Bedingham was knocked over by visiting left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for just six. Vishwa Fernando cleaned up Marco Jansen in the 87th over of the day before umpires called for an early stumps at 269-7.

The South African first innings will now resume on Day 2, with Verreynne to be joined by a newcomer at the crease.