Rossouw roaring after Elgar sledge

HAMPSHIRE’S Rilee Rossouw revealed that a bit of stick from a former South Africa team-mate inspired his career-best knock against Somerset.

Rossouw, 27, hit 156 from 113 balls as Hampshire ended Somerset’s unbeaten start with a four-wicket win.

In his first one-day match since ending his international career by signing a Kolpak deal, Rossouw came up against former South Africa colleague Dean Elgar, who signed on as an overseas player at Somerset, and explained post-match that the 28-year-old’s ‘abuse’ actually worked in his favour.

“I’ve got to thank Deano. He’s not going to like this but I’m going to say it,” laughed Rossouw. “He abused me when I was still on nought. It was like a switch that switched on and I started middling everything, so thanks Deano for that 156!

“I stayed in my bubble and didn’t let the chirps or the bowlers get to me. I really think it’s the start of great things to come for myself and the club.”

Rossouw’s fellow opener Tom Alsop fell for a duck, but he still scored 56 of the visitors’ first 57 runs.

The South African hit 24 fours and two sixes as Hampshire raced to 250-6 in less than 38 overs. Somerset had been bowled out for 249, with Elgar (78) top-scoring.

star man

RILEE ROSSOUW – Hampshire: A career-best knock gave Hampshire the win