Proteas star Rossouw ‘chuffed with century on World Cup main stage’

'What we did really well was to take on the spin. We took charge, we wanted to control that area of the game and we did that well.'

Dominating spin was one of the key features of Rilee Rossouw’s brilliant century against Bangladesh at the SCG on Thursday. Picture: Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images

A top-class innings by Proteas left-hander Rilee Rossouw was the highlight of his team’s crushing 104-run win against Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup in Sydney on Thursday.

Rossouw thoroughly dominated the bowling in stroking a tremendous 109 off just 56 balls, and it was almost totally thanks to him and Quinton de Kock (63 off 38) that the Proteas managed to post a formidable 205/5 after electing to bat first.

The dominant innings brought a spontaneous display of emotion when Rossouw reached his hundred off just 52 deliveries.

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“This is really close to my heart and I’m just very chuffed, to do this on the main stage, at the World Cup,” Rossouw said. “Sometimes things go for you and this year has been an unbelievable rollercoaster ride for me.

‘Long journey’

“I’m so happy sitting here now, I never even thought about it being possible 12 months ago. I am a very passionate man, and to get across the line meant a lot to me and my family back home.

“It’s been amazing to play for South Africa again, when you give up the right to play for your country, you expect that to be your last chance. So I will cherish every moment.

“It’s been a great journey, a long journey, and hopefully it’s not finished yet. I hope I have another opportunity to do well in this World Cup,” Rossouw said.

South Africa have in the past made a hash of handling the Bangladesh bowling in ODIs, but Rossouw said for him the big difference on Thursday was how well they played the spinners.

Nortje and Shamsi

A slick bowling display later on, led by Anrich Nortje (3.3-0-10-4) and Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-20-3), then ensured South Africa wrapped up the win in clinical fashion by bowling Bangladesh out for just 101 in the 17^th over.

They therefore successfully negotiated a team that has caused them World Cup embarrassment before – at Providence in 2007 and The Oval in 2019. The Proteas also batted poorly in series defeats to Bangladesh on the 2015 tour and at Centurion earlier this year.

“Taskin Ahmed was shaping the ball up front, he bowled nicely to Temba Bavuma (2), while The Fizz [Mustafizur Rahman] is world-class, a definite threat who you just have to play as you see it,” Rossouw said after his second successive T20 International century, a unique feat among full member teams.

“But what we did really well was to take on the spin. We took charge, we wanted to control that area of the game and we did that well. It definitely helped me that I played for three years in the Bangladesh Premier League and was the leading run-scorer twice, so there was nothing too unfamiliar out there today.

“I’ve definitely improved playing against spin because I’ve played a lot in the subcontinent – in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Dubai. I’m much more comfortable against spin than I was in my twenties. Being in pressure situations on pitches that are turning has made me a better player,” Rossouw said.

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