Debutant Rickelton says Bavuma's 50 in his 50th Test holds key to Proteas hopes

Proteas debutant batter Ryan Rickelton hoped Temba Bavuma's 18th Test 50 on the occasion of his 50th Test will be converted into something significant in the first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead.

Bavuma's conversion problems are well documented, but his latest half-ton that came off 104 balls kept the Proteas afloat after losing the toss and batting first on an unusually green Kingsmead surface on Thursday.

Rickelton (21) shared a 34-run stand for the fourth wicket with Bavuma before the southpaw somehow picked out Bangladeshi captain Mominul Haque off Ebadot Hossain.

STUMPS | Proteas v Bangladesh, First Test, Day One

Bavuma then shared an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 53 with Kyle Verreynne (27*), before stumps were drawn due to bad light.

Rickelton said batting time in the game is crucial so they can get spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer into the game.

"His great innings really set us up today and also sets him up for what we hope will be a big day tomorrow," Rickelton said.

"It's important now that we try bat time. We've picked two spinners, so we anticipate the wicket to turn.

"The more time we spend batting on that surface, the more it should begin to turn, so hopefully, we can maximise that and see if they can make magic."

Rickelton was fresh from an unbeaten 56 for Gauteng against Western Province at the Cricket South Africa Under-19 week final in 2014 when Bavuma made his Test debut against the West Indies in Gqeberha.

Bavuma's journey to 50 Tests hasn't been a smooth one, but he's morphed into a significant player for the Proteas despite his inability to add to the 102* he scored against England at Newlands in 2016.

Rickelton said the Test vice-captain and ODI skipper has achieved an excellent feat and