Rilee’s World Cup ton a special moment
Left-hander has precious memories of Sydney — and Thursday’s knock is right up there
Burly Proteas left-hander Rilee Rossouw expressed raw emotion when he reached his second T20 international century, saying the milestone against Bangladesh was something that meant a great deal to him.
Rossouw, whose SA career came to a controversial halt when he signed a Kolpak deal to play county cricket for Hampshire in 2017, was in fine form on Thursday as he bludgeoned 109 off just 56 deliveries, including seven fours and eight sixes.
Rossouw, who returned to the national fold in July this year, etched his name in cricket history with his match-winning knock, as he became the first South African to score a century at a T20 World Cup.
Sharing a blistering 162-run second-wicket partnership with fellow left-hander Quinton de Kock, coupled with some high-octane bowling from the men in green and gold, was enough to secure a convincing 104-run victory to get their tournament moving in the right direction.
The Proteas will have no time to rest on their laurels, with a clash against India looming as the two face off on Sunday at 1pm SA time.
When asked whether he had envisaged being in this position 12 months ago, Rossouw said the past year had been a tough journey back into the national fold.
“Sometimes things just go your way. This year has been an unbelievable rollercoaster ride for me.
“It is something I am very happy and proud about, and something I never thought about in a million years,” he said.
Asked about the emotion he displayed when he reached his century, Rossouw said achieving the milestone was something he would cherish for a long time.
“I am a very passionate man and getting across the line there meant a lot to me and my family back home.
“It has been a rollercoaster ride and just playing for SA again has been amazing,” he told a post-match press conference.
Rossouw, who scored his maiden T20 international ton against India in a 2-1 series loss recently, said it was difficult to say which one was more special.
“I would say the one against India was more special — not a lot more — but it is difficult to say ...
“They are both really close to my heart. “Just [doing it] on the main stage in a World Cup probably might edge it out, but it is a tough one to call, and like I said, [I’m] really chuffed with [that performance] today [Thursday],” he said.
Rossouw has some great memories of the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he had a front-row seat to a scintillating knock by former Proteas captain AB de Villiers, who scored an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls against the West Indies in the 50-over World Cup back in 2015.
In that game, Rossouw chalked up a 39-ball 61, providing the impetus needed for “Mr 360” to go about his business at the other end.
“I won’t forget it [that innings]. Someone asked me a similar question and I said I am taking a bit of credit for AB’s knock because I got him in such a great mind space.
“So I am patting myself on the back there, no-one knows that, so keep it like that, please.
“[It’s] a special place here at Sydney.
“I have done really well here in the past — it is a fantastic wicket, and thinking back on those memories has definitely given me confidence coming out here and doing so well,” he said.