Cricket | Rickelton Gears Up For Betway SA20 S3 With Majestic 259 At Newlands Test
MI Cape Town’s Ryan Rickelton’s love affair with Newlands has been rekindled in glorious fashion.
Ryan RickeltonThe leading run-scorer of Betway SA20 Season 2 showed that he is in fine form ahead of the upcoming season with a majestic 259 in the second Test against Pakistan.
It was Rickelton’s second Test century in just three matches and the 28-year-old is certainly starting to make his mark on the international stage.
The Newlands patrons who have come to adore their adopted MI Cape Town son over the past two SA20 seasons were treated to a batting exhibition of the highest order.
Rickleton faced 343 balls and struck 29 boundaries and three sixes. The left-hander certainly enjoyed putting on a show with a glistening Table Mountain looking down from above in full appreciation.
“I enjoy batting here (Newlands),” Rickelton said.“I think it suits my game, it's just a place where things seem to work, so I try to keep it simple out there, maybe it just lends itself a little bit towards me. “I've always enjoyed playing cricket here, it's one of the most iconic grounds in the world, so it's a nice place to do well at.”
Having batted in various positions in his short Test career thus far, Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad pulled a rabbit out of the hat by handing Rickelton the opening berth after Tony de Zorzi pulled up with an injury on the eve of the Test.
Rickelton, who regularly opens for MI Cape Town, jumped at the opportunity to take first strike.
“Shuks had a chat with me in the nets and he just said he wouldn't put me in a position that he didn't think I could do, but I’m kind at the stage where I said to him: ‘I just want to bat, it doesn't matter where, I just want to bat, and get stuck in.’
“I feel I've trained a lot against the new ball, fronted up a lot with the new ball, so it's just a normal thing, but mentally I think it's probably the biggest challenge because days like today are very few and far between.
“I think especially opening and batting, so like I said to him, I just want to bat, it doesn't matter where, I just want to play in this team, and I want to bat and score, and score Test runs.”
Rickelton is certainly primed for another good Betway SA20 season where he said he will be “swinging from the hip” next week when MI Cape Town face double defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the tournament opener at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday, January 9.
Source: SA20
