RYAN'S ON A ROLLI

Ryan Rickelton has taken the cricket scene by storm, announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with

- ALULUTHO GUZANA

HE WAS the kind of kid who was good at every sport he tried cricket, squash, rugby, tennis... you name it, he aced it.

But cricket, Ryan Rickelton decided, was the one for him. And the Proteas and Mumbai Indians (MI) Cape Town can thank their lucky stars he did.

The batsman is one of the stars of the game, confounding fast bowlers and spinners alike to smash balls all over the field.

He was on fine form during the recent Betway SA20 League final against Sunrisers Eastern Cape, smashing a rapid-fire 33 off just 15 balls to help MI Cape Town clinch the tournament.

Ryan is the second top scorer for the team this season, making 336 runs in his side's relentless march to the final.

But it isn't only the SA20 League where he's shone. Ryan's phenomenal 259 runs against Pakistan in the New Year's Test at Newlands helped secure a win for the home side and was the first double-century by a South African batter since Hashim Amla's 201 against England in 2016.

Ryan is also second only to Hashim with the most runs in a Test innings Hashim holds the record with 311 not out against England in 2012.

"It still feels so unreal," Ryan tells YOU when we catch up with him at Cape Town's Taj Hotel, where he's staying during the SA20 League.

"I can still hear the crowd's eruption but what made the moment more special was having my mom in the crowd to witness the moment."

Playing for MI Cape Town in a league that has supercharged interest in domestic cricket has also been rewarding for the 28-year-old. "MI is one of the most powerful franchises in the world, so being part of the team has been incredible," he says.