Ryan Rickelton becomes first South African opener in 12 years to hit double century

In his first ever Test innings as an opener, Ryan Rickelton scripted history as he became the first South African opener in 12 years to hit a double century in Test cricket. 

After Graeme Smith’s 234 against Pakistan in Dubai in 2013, no Proteas opener had scored a double ton, with Dean Elgar (199 against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom, 2017) coming the closest. But Rickelton broke the duck in style in the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town, getting to the landmark in 266 balls. 

Rickelton also became the first South African in nine years to hit a double ton. The last Proteas batter to do so was Hashim Amla, and, incidentally, Amla’s double ton against England in 2016 also came at Newlands, Cape Town, in the New Year’s Test. 

This was Rickelton’s tenth Test overall. In nine previous Tests, he had scored just 357 runs at an average of 25.50, batting in the middle-order. He had crossed 50 just once, posting 101 against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha last month. But an injury to incumbent opener Tony de Zorzi provided Rickelton the chance to open, and he grabbed it with both hands. 

Rickelton will need to hit 278 in order to surpass Graeme Smith and post the highest individual score by a South African opener in Tests.