Sydney: Rilee Rossouw blasted 109 and shared in a record-breaking stand with Quinton de Kock as South Africa crushed Bangladesh to kickstart their Twenty20 World Cup title charge in Sydney yesterday. The pair came together after Temba Bavuma fell in the first over and powered their team to 205-5.

Bangladesh were dismissed for just 101 in the 17th over with Anrich Nortje taking 4-10. After Bavuma’s dismissal it was all South Africa with Rossouw and De Kock putting on 168 for the second wicket, surpassing the 166 that Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara made against the West Indies in 2010. De Kock fell for 63 the next ball but Rossouw charged on, bringing up the first century of the tournament and only the 10th scored at any T20 World Cup.

He was eventually out going for another big hit, ending a 56-ball knock in which he smashed eight sixes and seven fours. It was the fifth highest score at a T20 World Cup. The blitz set up the Proteas for a much-needed Group 2 victory after their opening match on Monday against Zimbabwe in Hobart was washed out and the points were shared.

Bangladesh opened their campaign with a nine-wicket win over the Netherlands, but they have a poor record against top teams at World Cups, and had not won any of their seven previous T20s against South Africa. Bavuma won the toss and batted first but the South African skipper was out cheaply again as his awful form continued.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 28 2022

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