Reverse sweeping Ryan Rickelton threw caution to the wind to make Test debut mark

Proteas debutant Ryan Rickelton said the reverse sweep he played to get off the mark on his Test debut was borne out of nervous tension.

Rickelton, who made 21 off 41 balls on the first day of the first Test between South Africa and Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Thursday, said the shot wasn't a risky one for him.

It was played off accurate offspinner Mehidy Hassan Miraz, who kept a lid on SA's fast scoring and also collected the wicket of Sarel Erwee.

STUMPS | Proteas v Bangladesh, First Test, Day One

Rickelton didn't look troubled in his stay at the crease, but there was an element of looseness in the aborted bunt he played that gave Ebadot Hossain his first wicket and Bangladesh's fourth of the day.

Rickelton though, said there wasn't an element of risk in his shot despite his nerves.

"I was a bit nervous, tense, and planted my front foot quite early to the off-spinner, so I knew other shot options weren't on because I wasn't on the back foot," Rickelton said.

"While I took a risk, it wasn't the riskiest shot I've played, but if I patted back and was on nought off 14 or 15 balls, things weren't going to be in my favour.

"I decided I might as well and I was lucky it worked. It got me away and it's not my riskiest shot option, so I was comfortable playing it."

That Rickelton got a chance to bat was because Mominul Haque decided to give his bowlers first use of a green-tinged Kingsmead surface.

Rickelton said it was a decision that surprised him as they were going to bat first given the ground's reputation as a spinner's paradise.

There also was the 35-minute sightscreen delay that Rickelton also found to be frustrating.

"I was surprised because Durban generally takes turn and it's always advisable to bat first. If we won the toss, we