Ryan Rickelton has been a standout player in T20 cricket throughout 2024. The 27-year-old found his form during the SA20 in January and has maintained it through July. Recently, he scored an impressive 103 off 66 balls for the Seattle Orcas against the LA Knight Riders, bringing his total to 1117 runs in 27 innings with an average of 48, the highest among T20 batsmen with over 1000 runs this year.
Previously known for sporadic brilliant performances, Rickelton has discovered consistency, particularly in the SA20, where he emerged as the top run-scorer for MI Cape Town. This achievement earned him a spot in the Proteas World Cup squad.
His transformation into a reliable match-winner was evident against the Knight Riders. Rickelton navigated the early overs cautiously, scoring 8 off 10 balls on a challenging pitch. He then took on the spinners, launching Sunil Narine for a six and a four in his first over.
Rickelton's class was on full display when he hit three straight boundaries off Andre Russell in the eighth over, the sound of the ball meeting the bat echoing through the Grand Prairie stadium. He also targeted Shakib Al Hasan, hitting two balls out of the park.
Having come close to a T20 hundred several times, Rickelton finally reached the milestone in Dallas, despite some tense moments. He reached the 90s with a 16-run over off Corne Dry, but a tight over from Narine made him nervous. A near mix-up with Quinton de Kock while running his 100th run added to the drama, but a missed throw allowed him to complete his century.
Rickelton humorously recounted the moment, explaining how panicked he felt in the 90s and how de Kock’s running didn't help. He was relieved when Narine missed the stumps. Reflecting on his performance, Rickelton noted his surprise at finding his form so quickly after a six-week break during the World Cup.
Rickelton and de Kock shared an unbeaten 152-run partnership for the second wicket. Interestingly, de Kock played a supporting role, allowing Rickelton to shine. This dynamic, along with de Kock’s uncertain international future, felt like a symbolic passing of the torch.
Rickelton's remarkable journey from the bench at the World Cup to starring in MLC 2024 demonstrates his resilience and talent, making him a player to watch in the future.