Sawt Falasteen - Rickelton hits 259 as South Africa take control against Pakistan

Resuming on 176, Rickelton was content to feed the strike to Kyle Verreynne (100) and Marco Jansen (62) in quick-scoring partnerships of 148 for the sixth wicket and 86 for the seventh wicket.

The left-handed opening batsman reached his double century off 266 balls and was finally seventh out, caught at mid-on going for a big hit. He batted for 607 minutes, facing 343 balls and hitting 29 fours and three sixes.

It was the joint seventh highest score by a South African batsman in Test cricket.

South Africa's innings ended 40 minutes after tea when new cap Kwena Maphaka was bowled second ball for nought to become the 100th Test wicket for Mohammad Abbas.

At 18 years 270 days, Maphaka became South Africa's youngest Test player when the match started on Friday.

Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan held six catches in the South African innings.

Brief scores:

South Africa 615 in 141.3 overs (R. Rickelton 259, T. Bavuma 106, K. Verreynne 100, M. Jansen 62, K. Maharaj 40; Mohammad Abbas 3-94, Mir Hamza 2-127, Khurram Shahzad 2-123, Salman Agha 3-148).

Match situation: South Africa are 615 all out in the first innings.

Toss: South Africa.

S.Barghouti--SF-PST