Rickelton hoping to seal opening slot for T20 World Cup 2026
Having been a part of South Africa's historic ICC World Test Championship triumph, the flamboyant left-handed batter has his sights on more major silverware.
South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton is hoping to make a mark with the bat in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia with an eye on a place in the squad for next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
The 29-year-old, who has made an early impression across formats for the Proteas since his international debut in 2023, is keen to seal his spot up the South African batting order.
Ryan Rickelton's special ton on ICC event debut | POTM Highlights | Champions Trophy 2025
A superb century from Ryan Rickelton at the ICC Champions Trophy event in 2025
"I'm still trying to establish myself in the T20I side but I don't think there'll be any expectation for me to change anything that I've been doing in these last two years," Rickelton told reporters ahead of the T20I series.
"It's just an opportunity for me to hopefully claim that opening spot for this South African side, going into the World Cup and further on past that.
"The way the team is structured fits the mould of how they want me to play too, so I'm pretty comfortable with what's required.
"I am always looking to land that first punch and get the side off to a good start no matter who's alongside me at the top."
Recently crowned the ICC World Test Champions at Lord’s, South Africa will now turn their attention to white-ball challenges.
Rickelton delighted on South Africa's win | WTC25 Final
Ryan Rickelton concedes his emotions after South Africa's WTC win at Lord's.
The Proteas will be taking on Australia in three T20Is and as many ODIs followed by a white-ball tour of England and an all-format tour of India – the runner-ups of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 are set to play 11 T20Is this calender year.
Rickelton believes playing against the top-three sides in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings presents a perfect opportunity to prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup on the sub-continent.
"If you look at the fixtures lined up for the T20 World Cup, we've got some big competition and some big rivals," he said.
"If we can put a good foot forward and play quite well and match what we want to try and replicate in a few months' time, especially against quality opposition, that's really important to the team and the individuals as well.
“We spoke about it as a group, we have an opportunity to try and win a series in Australia, which doesn't come around that often, and we're looking forward to obviously cementing our own places and playing well for South Africa."
South Africa and Australia face-off in the first T20I on July 10 in Darwin.