After concluding a white-ball tour of Australia, South Africa are touring England for a limited-overs series, consisting of three ODIs and as many T20Is. The series, which will conclude on September 14
with the third T20I in Nottingham, kickstarted on Tuesday, September 2 at the Headingley in Leeds. In the opening match of the series, the Protean side beat the hosts by seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the ODI-leg.
The first ODI was a complete package with some exciting moments. For the unversed, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. As a result, the hosts were put to bat first on what was a forgettable day for them out in the middle. The Three Lions saw them get bundled out at the score of 131 in just 24.3 overs, courtesy a four-wicket haul from Keshav Maharaj and a three-fer for Wiaan Mulder.
Ryan Rickelton produces brilliant catch to dismiss Joe Root at 14; leaves everyone in awe
Coming out to bat, England lost Ben Duckett early at the 13. After Duckett’s departure, Joe Root joined Jamie Smith in the middle, adding 31 runs for the second wicket. In the eighth over of the England innings, a brilliant catch by Ryan Rickelton send Root back to the pavilion after scoring just 14 off 17 deliveries. On the third delivery of Lungi Ngidi’s fourth over, the pacer pitched a slightly fuller. Root, who was on strike, edged the balls with Rickelton grabbing the ball in his right hand with a low dive.
Watch Video of Ryan Rickelton's stunning effort in 1st ODI:
The video of this catch has been going viral since then as the Protean side got a big wicket in Joe Root. After the veteran’s wicket, the English side struggled in the middle as wickets kept falling at crucial intervals and were eventually restricted to 131. In reply, South Africa chased the total in just 20.5 overs with seven wickets in hand, courtesy 55-ball 86 from Aiden Markram.
The Three Lions will hope to come out good when they take on Temba Bavuma & Co. on Thursday, September 4 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
