Delhi: South African wicketkeeper batsman Ryan Rickelton created history by scoring a brilliant double century in the second Test match being played against Pakistan in Cape Town on Saturday. Rickelton achieved the feat in 266 balls and became the first South African player since Hashim Amla in 2016 to score a double century in Test cricket. His innings included 25 fours and 1 six.
This left-handed batsman started the innings with Aiden Markram and made a brilliant partnership of 235 runs with captain Temba Bavuma for the fourth wicket. This innings put South Africa in a strong position in the match.
Rickelton’s innings not only added a new chapter to his personal achievements, but also showed the strength of the South African batting order. His innings proved to be a challenge for Pakistan’s bowlers and he hit excellent shots on every occasion.
Rickelton’s performance is an inspiration for South African cricket, which is attempting to re-establish consistency and dominance in Test cricket.
Fastest Test double century for South Africa
Rickelton created history by scoring a double century in 266 balls in the second Test match in Cape Town. He became the fourth batsman to score the fastest Test double century for South Africa. Herschelle Gibbs tops this list, who scored a double century in 211 balls against Pakistan in Cape Town in 2003. He is followed by the names of Graeme Smith (238 balls, vs Bangladesh, 2008), Gary Kirsten (251 balls, vs Zimbabwe, 2001), and Jacques Kallis (267 balls, vs India, 2010).
Ryan Rickleton plays like Quinton de Kock
Young South African player Ryan Rickleton is a wicketkeeper batsman like Quinton de Kock and opens the innings. Both the players are left handed batsmen. Rickleton’s playing style is exactly like De Kock. Like the former legendary wicketkeeper, he also plays big shots and bats aggressively, so there should be no problem in calling him Quinton de Kock 2.0.