RICKELTON AND KRUGER TAKE THEIR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL FOR THE PROTEAS

Ryan Rickelton has been bossing runs all over the world in franchise T20 Leagues and it was only a matter of time before he transferred that form to the international stage.

The MI Cape Town opener was the leading run-scorer in last season’s Betway SA20 and followed it up with a successful CSA T20 Challenge and maiden Major League Cricket campaign in the US.

After a quiet start to his international career, Rickelton showed that he can take the step up to the next level with a career-best 76 off 48 balls (3x4, 4x6) to help the Proteas seal a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Friday evening.

The comparisons with former Proteas opener and Durban Super Giants star Quinton de Kock is inevitable due to the fact that Rickelton keeps wicket and bats left-handed too.

The similarities were impossible to ignore at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium last night with Rickelton flicking the ball off his legs with ease over midwicket onto the grass embankments, prompting on-air commentator Shaun Pollock to describe it as “De Kock-esque”.

Rickelton was fluent throughout and was possibly on track for a maiden T20I century, but was ultimately content with his contribution on the night.

“To be honest, I did not think I would even get close (to a 100), I haven't got to 50 (before),” Rickelton said.

“To get to fifty, it was a nice feeling.”

Rickelton shared a 135-run opening stand with former Joburg Super Kings star Reeza Hendricks to set the Proteas on track to haul in Ireland's 171/8.

Hendricks has endured a dip in form of late, and was released by the Super Kings after Season 2, but showed that he would still be of immense value to any team should the stylish right-hander be picked up at the third Betway SA20 auction in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 1.

His class was on full display in Abu Dhabi with Hendricks latching on to anything over-pitched by the Ireland bowlers as he drove elegantly through the covers during his 33-ball 51 (5x4; 3x6).

“Reeza and I have always have a bit of competition, nice to have a go at each other and nice for him to get a few away as well,” Rickelton said.

Ireland had earlier seemed destined to set the Proteas a target close to 200, but some fine death bowling from Sunrisers Eastern Cape all-rounder Patrick Kruger kept the “home” team in check.

Kruger’s stature as an international cricketer is certainly on the rise due to his increased self-belief, which has been aided by his exposure to high-level cricket at the Betway SA20.

The all-rounder delivered an incredible triple-wicket maiden final over to finish with his T20I career-best figures of 4/27.

“We were looking at maybe 190-200, but they bowled really well, they snuffed us out at the end.

“At the 15-over mark we were well-placed but 170 turned out not to be enough,” said Ireland captain and former Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals opener Paul Stirling.