SYDNEY: South African batsman Rilee Rossouw has travelled a long way to reach the Twenty20 World Cup, and he plans to savour the journey as much as he can.The 33-year-old lefthander gave the Proteas their first tournament century on Thursday as they crushed Bangladesh by 104 runs to get back on track for the semi-finals.
His 109-run innings extended the hot streak he has been on since being recalled to the South African team this season after five years spent playing English county cricket.When he hit the century mark at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Rossouw, who decided to leave his nation and accept the offer to play in England in 2017, was filled with emotion.
He told reporters, “I’m a very passionate individual. And crossing the finish line meant a lot to me. It is really important to my home family.”It’s just been a fun ride on the roller coaster. It has been incredible even to play with South Africa once more.
Rilee Rossouw, a renowned hard-hitter, smashed eight sixes in the innings on Thursday on route to his second T20 century of the year; his first was an unbroken 100 against India in Indore earlier this month.Maybe things go your way, he remarked. And this year has been no short of an incredible roller coaster for me personally. What a joy. I’m overjoyed to be here. I never in a million years considered it.
His performance bodes well for South Africa when they face Group 2 leaders India in Perth on Sunday in their third match of the tournament.Between 2014 and 2016, Rossouw participated in 51 short-format international matches. He says there have been occasions during the past five years when he has wondered if he will ever again play for South Africa.
