South Africa back Ryan Rickelton for wicket-keeping for second Test against Australia

Ryan Rickelton (Pic: AFP)

Following a heavy 214-run defeat to Australia in the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship series in Durban, South Africa are looking to make strategic adjustments as they prepare for the second Test in Gqeberha.

A major tactical shift includes handing Ryan Rickelton the wicketkeeping duties, a decision the coaching staff believes will boost his overall involvement in the match.

South Africa fielding coach Kruger van Wyk expressed complete confidence in Ryan Rickelton's readiness, highlighting the batter's ongoing commitment to practising his glovework despite playing purely as a specialist batter in recent outings.

"When we take the early bus, Ricks always comes along. Even when he doesn't keep in matches, he still comes and does his work," Kruger van Wyk, the former New Zealand wicketkeeper, who is now South Africa's fielding coach, was quoted by Cricinfo in Gqeberha ahead of the second Test against Australia.

"He is diligent with his work. Even when he just plays as a batter, in the white-ball stuff as well, he does his keeping work as well. So it's not like he's had to dust them [his keeping pads and gloves] off and start over again," he added.

Coach praises Rickelton's keeping ability

Van Wyk lauded Rickelton's technical proficiency and international readiness, drawing parallels between Test cricket and his experiences in competitive franchise leagues.

"I think he's a first-choice keeper," van Wyk said. He has kept unbelievably well. And if you follow white-ball cricket and his performances in IPL, you know it's still a ball coming down at you. It's still cricket. The movements are the same. The way you glove it is exactly the same. Technically, he is very good."

While keeping in South Africa offers unique demands, van Wyk noted that Rickelton's familiarity with elite international spinners prepares him for future challenges.

"In South African conditions, the ball bounces more than it spins. We saw a bit of spin in Durban, but it's not excessive. So, when we get to the fifth day, we've done a lot of work with that as well. And Ricks has kept to really good spinners before as well (like to) Rashid Khan. He's kept to everyone. So the bowlers he will keep to are familiar to him. I'm confident he will do a good job," van Wyk added.

(With inputs from ANI)