GQEBERHA, South Africa – On the first day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, South African captain Temba Bavuma and his teammate Ryan Rickleton helped their team recover after a tough start. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, South Africa found themselves at 46-3 early on. But Bavuma, playing calmly, formed a strong partnership with Rickleton, adding an impressive 133 runs for the fourth wicket.
Bavuma was looking good and close to scoring his century when he was out for 64. He tried to hit a fast, rising ball but ended up gloving it to the wicketkeeper. This was a disappointing end for Bavuma, as he has now scored 23 fifties in Test cricket but only three centuries.
Ricketon, who stepped in to play after Wiaan Mulder got injured in the first test, reached his first Test fifty. He was not out at 72, with David Bedingham supporting him on one run. Earlier, Sri Lankan bowler Lahiru Kumara took his 100th Test wicket by bowling out Aiden Markram for 20 runs. Kumara also dismissed Tristan Stubbs, catching him for just 4 runs.
South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi was out for a duck, falling to a leg-before-wicket decision that he tried unsuccessfully to review. Markram, struggling with his recent form, got out by playing a risky shot that ended up hitting his wicket. Stubbs, who scored well in the last match, also tried to play aggressively but was caught by the Sri Lankan keeper.
Both teams are eager for victory to help their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final next year. South Africa won the first Test match last week by a significant 233 runs.
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