J ohannesburg — Ryan Rickelton continued to make a point to the national selectors about their decision to omit him from the Proteas touring squad for Australia.

After scoring a hundred last week in Potchefstroom, he backed up that performance with another three-figure score at the Wanderers on Friday, this time with the national team’s Test captain watching just a few metres away. Dean Elgar applauded as Rickelton, having performed a small skip after lifting Simon Harmer over the covers for four to reach the landmark, turned to the dressing room and raised his bat. Point made - again.

This was Rickelton’s sixth century in 14 first class matches for the DP World (Gauteng) Lions in the last three seasons. The figure 14 is concerning because it reflects how little first class cricket has been played in South Africa recently. Of course, the Covid pandemic is the primary reason for that, but this season’s Four-Day Series consists of just seven matches, and that is the result of Cricket SA’s parlous finances.

However all Rickelton can do is work with what he’s got and he is doing that superbly. The reason for his absence from the Australia tour party was an ankle injury. The convenor of selectors, Victor Mpitsang, didn’t want to go into any details when asked about Rickelton last week, other than to say that the Lions are taking a risk by playing him. Rickelton, who has played three Tests, the last of those at The Oval in August, finished on 108 not out.

From a Proteas selection perspective, the circumspect approach is understandable, but given the fragile state of South Africa’s batting, leaving out the most consistent batter of the last three seasons, seems wasteful. His innings here wasn’t gift-wrapped either, as he had to survive an examination from Harmer on Thursday when the off-spinner picked up six wickets. He played Harmer with due care on Friday too and took more risks against the Titans’ quick bowlers.