The 1st Day of 2nd Test match proved to be a roller coaster ride for both teams. Sri Lanka was heavily criticized for their below-par performance in the opening batters as it seemed they were not ready for an uphill challenge. South Africa’s score at the end of Day 1 play was 269-7 in 86.3 overs as the wicket at Gqeberha was a bit two-pace one and despite that Ryan Rickelton hit his maiden ton which would be remembered for a long time.
Playing 11 of both teams
South Africa had won the toss & elected to bat first at Gqeberaha and there were two forced changes in the form of Ryan Rickelton in place of injured Wiaan Mulder & Dane Paterson in place of Lungi Ngidi. Sri Lanka made no changes to their playing 11 from the 1st Test match defeat
South Africa Playing 11: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne. Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
Sri Lanka take early wickets but Temba Bavuma & Ryan Rickelton steady South Africa’s ship in morning session
Asitha Fernando in the 2nd over bowled an inswinging yorker to Tony de Zorzi on the very first ball and got trapped him LBW out. de Zorzi had reviewed the decision but the decision wasn’t overturned. South Africa was in an unexpected tricky situation after having lost 3 wickets for 44 runs as Aiden Markram was casetled by Lahiru Kumara who was bowling impeccable thunderbolts.
Temba Bavuma & Ryan Rickelton were chary in their approach as the conditions were a bit gloomy which assisted Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers. Lahiru Kumara was used in short & effective spells which kept him afresh throughout the day’s play. South Africa’s score at the end of morning session was 82-3 in 27 overs.
Temba Bavuma & Ryan Rickelton put South Africa in an ascendancy
Temba Bavuma didn’t give a chance to Sri Lanka’s bowlers to settle in the first hour of the afternoon session. The outfield was quite fast as in the first 13 overs, Proteas scored 51 runs in 13 overs and the scoreboard was ticking quite quickly. Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjay de Silva brought in the left arm off spinner Prabath Jayasuriya but he couldn’t contain the batters.
At the brink of the afternoon session, Temba Bavuma was foxed as he tried to play to play an upper cut shot but nicked it to the wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis on the bowling of Asiha Fernando. Temba Bavuma would be utterly disappointed that he couldn’t smash a century as he was dismissed on 78 runs in 109 balls in which he hit 8 fours and 1 six and the team’s score was 177-4 in 53 overs. South Africa had an impeccable afternoon session but the wicket of Bavuma gave an opening & belief to Sri Lanka team. The hosts were 179-4 in 54 overs in 2nd session of the day.
Ryan Rickelton struck a ton but Sri Lanka pacers chip in with late wickets in evening session
David Bedingham was dropped twice and was looking in all sorts of trouble. The spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bowled David Bedingham in the 60th over of the innings where the batter wanted to play a big shot but couldn’t connect it. Kyle Verreyne & Ryan Rickelton made sure that there are no more hiccups in the innings as the hosts were reduced to 186-5 and could have got bundled out.
In his shots, Ryan Rickelton showed some shades of the former iconic skipper Graeme Smith. Ryan Rickelton got to his maiden ton in 79th over on the bowling of Vishwa Fernando. Ryan Rickelton displayed sheer mental application to notch up a staggering ton. He got ample support from Kyle Verreyne, the wicket-keeper batter who was seen playing positive cricket, trying to convert singles into doubles.
Just when 20 odd minutes were left at the end of day’s play, Lahiru Kumara changed the complexion of the game. Lahiru Kumara kept on hitting the deck hard and tempted Ryan Rickelton to play a shot towards cover region but gave a catch to gully. Ryan Rickelton should be commended not only for smashing the ton but the way in which he did as he was dismissed on 101 runs in 250 and struck 11 fours with a strike rate of 40.4 which is quite rare in modern cricket.
Lahiru Kumara was seen sledging to Marco Jansen as there was a fierce rivalry. Marco Jansen though was undone by Vishwa Fernando who bowled and knocked him over and at the end of Day 1, South Africa’s score was 269-7 in 86.3 overs. Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowlers who took a 3 wicket haul and was quite threatening in most of his spells.
What lies ahead on Day 2 for Sri Lanka & South Africa
South Africa would be aiming to get the 1st innings score to 400 which may be a bit distant but Kyle Verreyne (*48 runs in 84 balls) can play an attacking brand of cricket. We should not forget that Kagiso Rabada can also smash lusty blows and a 30-odd-run knock can be priceless. South Africa are in a bit precarious position where the morning session of Day 2 can be a turning point for the hosts.
Sri Lanka would be happy going into Day 2 as the second new ball has done wonders for the team. The fielding has been a bit sloppy but now they need to quickly wrap up Proteas’ innings. The over-rate has been fine for Sri Lanka and Lahiru Kumara can be seen bowling a bit marathon spell to take the last 3 remaining wickets. Sri Lanka are going to bat last on this surface as a 1st innings lead will be decisive for the visitors.