Ryan Rickelton says return to Newlands comforts him ahead of third Test

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton said familiarity with Newlands gives him confidence ahead of the decisive third Test against Australia that begins on Tuesday. He told reporters on Sunday that returning to a ground where he has succeeded in both red-ball and white-ball cricket is reassuring regardless of his current form.

Rickelton compiled a career-best 259 against Pakistan at the venue and has scored centuries in every first-class match he has played there. He has also accumulated substantial runs for MI Cape Town across four SA20 seasons at the same ground.

The 30-year-old shifted from opener to the middle order during the preceding Test at St George's Park, where he also took over wicketkeeping duties. He described opening in Test cricket as particularly demanding compared with batting in the middle order on South African pitches.