New Delhi: Ryan Rickelton became the first South African player to score a double century in nine years during the second Test match against Pakistan in Cape Town on Saturday. The left-handed batter reached the milestone in 266 balls becoming the first Proteas batter after Hashim Amla in 2016 to hit a double century in the longest format.
It was Rickelton’s first double century in Tests and he interestingly becomes the first player to have scored a century and a double century in the 2025. Enroute his special double century, the Proteas batter created number of records after coming on to the crease when the hosts had lost couple of quick wickets. He along with Temba Bavuma, who got out after scoring a ton on Friday, stitched a double century stand to resurrect the hosts on the opening day.
Ryan Rickleton etches his name in the history books with a maiden Test double-hundred 💯💯
Soak it all up Ryan, this is your moment!#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/8YTrEXyjdG
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 4, 2025
Fastest Test 200s for South Africa
Ryan Rickelton joined the elite list of the players with fastest test double hundreds for South Africa, which includes Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis.
211 – Herschelle Gibbs vs PAK, Cape Town, 2003
238 – Graeme Smith vs BAN, Chittagong, 2008
251 – Gary Kirsten vs ZIM, Harare, 2001
266 – Ryan Rickelton vs PAK, Cape Town, 2025
267 – Jacques Kallis vs India, Centurion, 2010
Here are some of the other elite lists the lethal Proteas batter joined after smashing his maiden Test double hundred.
Double-hundreds in SA vs PAK Tests
278* – AB de Villiers, Abu Dhabi, 2010
234 – Graeme Smith, Dubai, 2013
228 – Herschelle Gibbs, Cape Town, 2003
204* – Ryan Rickelton, Cape Town, 2025
Double tons while opening for the first time in Tests
204* – Ryan Rickelton (SA) vs PAK, Newlands, 2025
201* – Brendon Kuruppu (SL) vs NZ, Colombo CCC, 1987
200 – Graeme Smith (SA) vs BAN, East London, 2002
200 – Devon Conway (NZ) vs ENG, Lord’s, 2021
Ryan Rickelton became the first South African player to score a double century in nine years during the second Test match against Pakistan in Cape Town on Saturday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
