Ryan Rickelton made his Test debut for the Proteas on 31 March 2022 against Bangladesh earning cap no 117.
Becoming the latest cricketer produced by St Stithians Boys College to don the green cap.
Rickelton is known as one of the most dangerous strikers of the ball with an excellent conversion rate in domestic cricket.
Over the last two seasons he has been one of the most consistent batsmen with an average of 51.21.
To go along with 10 centuries in 37 matches for the Lions.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I just hope I can make it work and just represent myself well, give myself the best opportunity to maximise what I’ve got,” the 25 year old Rickelton said after making his debut.
About Ryan Rickelton
Ryan attended St Stithians prep then progressed to the Boys College where he matriculated in 2014.
His father Mr Ian Rickelton was Director of Sport at the Boys College for 16 years. Ian together with Mr Peter Stringer played a significant role in Ryan’s early development as a cricketer.
Ryan is known as one of the best conditioned cricketers in SA domestic cricket for the Lions.
His great work ethic comes from his Dad who is also very dedicated and active sportsman.
Rickelton’s Rise
Only in his early 20s, the Johannesburg born has been a part of Gauteng cricket set up since 2015.
With a terrific average above 50 in first-class cricket alongside his wicket-keeping skills, Rickelton has been on the national team selector’s radar for some time in this format.
He has been the leading run-getter in few of the tournaments for Gauteng, the 2017–18 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge and 2017–18 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup being two of them where he scored 351 runs and 562 runs respectively.
The young wicket-keeper batsman was named in Highveld Lions squad in June 2018 and was also named in the Cricket South Africa Emerging Squad in July 2018.
Rickelton’s form is a continuation of good form he had last summer. He averaged 48.33 in the abbreviated Four-Day competition, and continued that run on the winter tour to Zimbabwe with the South Africa A side, where he scored a century and a ninety in the two first class matches.
“Going into pre-season I put a big emphasis on Four-Day cricket. I’m starting to wrap my head around my own personal game now. I finally have something I can stick with, that I can trust.
“My technique in the few seasons before last was always changing and I wasn’t fully set on the type of player I wanted to be,” said Rickelton in an interview with Opal Sports.
First class batting average: 51.21
Highest score: 202*
Centuries: 10
Fifties: 10
St Stithians College is fast becoming the Gauteng cricket factory
St Stithians has emerged as one of the powerhouses of schools cricket in recent years.
The development of a strong ethos of discipline and hard work have been one of the key elements in reviving cricket at the school.
The school has produced the following international players:
Dave Rundle, Roy Pienaar, David Tebrugge, Michael Lumb (England), Grant Elliot (New Zealand), Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder. Recent first-class players include Mark Benfield (EP and Transvaal), Liam Graham (Border), Branden Glover (Boland), Ricardo Vasconcelos (Boland/Northamptonshire), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Marques Ackerman (North West), Curtis Campher (Ireland) and Wandile Makwetu (Titans).
