Early 2025 has kicked off with impressive individual performances on the cricket field, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting year for the sport. South African opener Ryan Rickelton marked his name in history books by scoring the first Test century of the year during the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands, Cape Town. Not only did Rickelton shine on the first day of the New Year’s Test, but he made the milestone by reaching 100 runs on just 135 balls, demonstrating both skill and pacing throughout his innings.
Rickelton's achievement was particularly notable as it followed closely behind Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, who created headlines by scoring the fastest T20I century against New Zealand earlier this year. Perera's feat made him the first centurion across all formats for 2025, hinting at the fiercely competitive atmosphere brewing within the cricketing world.
The remarkable aspect of Rickelton's performance is his unique ability to turn starts (scores over 50) directly into centuries. So far, he has yet to register any half-centuries; every time he has passed the 50-run mark, he has gone on to score hundreds. This reputation solidified with his latest innings, marking his second Test century, following his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka back in December 2024.
One factor often overlooked is Rickelton’s technical prowess on the pitch. His innings featured the remarkable low false shot percentage of 5.8%, which highlights his ability to make crisp and informed shot selections. Within the history of South African openers since 2007, only Dean Elgar has recorded lower percentages during his own centuries – 3.2% and 4.8%, respectively, against Bangladesh.
Throughout the match, Rickelton exhibited outstanding footwork and shot placement, particularly notable when he reached his century. Facing a full delivery down the leg side from Pakistani bowler Salman Agha, he expertly glanced the ball toward the fine-leg boundary. This achievement drew applause from the crowd and was met with celebratory embraces from his captain, Temba Bavuma, emphasizing the team's cohesion and support.
On the day of the century, Rickelton and Bavuma partnered for over 100 runs, cementing their importance to the innings and building solid foundations for South Africa's batting efforts. Rickelton's ability to execute impressive shots both off the front and back foot was indicative of his growth and confidence as one of South Africa's leading batsmen. Their promising partnership exemplified the disciplined approach required to capitalize on loose deliveries, reinforcing their potential to continue scoring as the match progressed.
Looking beyond Rickelton, Kusal Perera's achievement also deserves mention. His blistering performance allowed him to etch his name as the T20I centurion for 2025, showcasing the global competition on the field. It appears there is much to watch for as the year progresses—the early signs indicate hungry players eager to excel across formats.
Rickelton accepted well-deserved accolades from fans and cricket experts alike. He has started the year on the best possible note, and if this performance is any indication, 2025 is set to be filled with memorable cricketing moments. Moving forward, many will undoubtedly watch closely as Rickelton attempts to continue his century streak without registering any half-centuries.
The team's success during this period, combined with the individual brilliance shown by players like Rickelton and Perera, marks what could become one of the most engaging seasons of cricket we have seen. Can Rickelton keep this trend going? Will Perera add to his T20I records? Like any great sport, the answers will reveal themselves as the fixtures continue and the pitches heat up.