‘Unstoppable’: Rilee Rossouw smacks South Africa’s first T20 World Cup century in SCG demolition

Rilee Rossouw has become the first South African to score a century at the Men’s T20 World Cup following an epic knock at the SCG.

Rilee Rossouw has become the first South African to score a century at the Men’s T20 World Cup, blasting a career-best 109 (56) against Bangladesh at the SCG on Thursday afternoon.

The 33-year-old Sydney Thunder recruit silenced the Bangladesh-heavy crowd with a dazzling performance in the first innings of the Super 12 contest, cracking seven boundaries and eight sixes to help the Proteas register 205/5 from their 20 overs.

It was the first century of the T20 World Cup and highest individual score of the tournament to date, bettering Devon Conway’s blistering 92 not out against Australia at the same venue last week.

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Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first despite the lingering threat of rain, but the Proteas skipper was back in the sheds for 2 after edging Bangladesh paceman Taskin Ahmed through to wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan in the first over.

Bangladesh supporters in the Victor Trumper Stand roared with delight, waving flags and dancing in the stands as a plush toy tiger was thrown into the air in front of the media centre window.

Bavuma’s dismissal brought Rossouw to the crease, who partnered with South African opener Quinton de Kock to obliterate Bangladesh’s bowlers during the Powerplay.

The two left-handers repeatedly targeted the square leg boundary, cracking 58 runs from 27 deliveries before rain interrupted proceedings in the sixth over with South Africa cruising at 1/60.

The assault didn’t stop once the fielding restrictions were lifted, with Rossouw bringing up his half-century just before the drinks break, reaching the minor milestone in 30 balls.

Rossouw and de Kock used the sweep shot, both traditional and reverse, to great effect against the Bangladesh spinners, with a couple of sloppy midfields assisting their onslaught.

Rilee Rossouw of South Africa salutes the crowd. Photo by Matt King-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

In the 11th over, Rossouw thumped a massive six off Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan into the Bill O’Reilly Stand, where a young fan wearing a Virat Kohli shirt took a classy catch.

The jubilant spectator grabbed his phone and took a photo with the match ball before throwing it back at the agitated fielders.

Later that over, South Africa was awarded five penalty runs after Bangladesh wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan stepped backwards during Al Hasan’s delivery.

Bangladesh lacked discipline during the middle overs; Ahmed and Al Asan were both guilty of costly no-balls, while Rossouw was gifted a life on 88 when Hasan Mahmud dropped a tough chance at deep third man in the 14th over.

An innings of such power and authority from Rilee Roussow. You could see how badly he wanted it with the emotional response to his century. Even though SA have enough, that little period around Roussow's 100 took the momentum away.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 27, 2022

Yup, Rossouw is unstoppable when he gets going so margin very less with him, has to be a good ball to get him to mishit and for now, Bangladesh are just bowling throwdowns. https://t.co/oUW2B8lU0y

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 27, 2022

This has been a clinic from Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw. Albeit with a helping hand or two from Bangladesh. #BANvSA#T20WorldCup

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) October 27, 2022

The Tigers finally unearthed a breakthrough in the 15th over, with de Kock departing for 63 (38) after smacking an Afif Hossain delivery straight down the throat of long off.

De Kock and Rossouw had combined for a 163-run stand, falling three runs short of equalling the all-time record for largest partnership in T20 World Cup history.

Rossouw, who had been ignored by national selectors fox six years, sunk to his knees after reaching triple figures, pumping his fists and saluting the Members’ Stand.

“I’m a very emotional man,” he told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“To play for South Africa again, it’s been amazing.

“This year has been like an unbelievable rollercoaster ride for me.

“So happy, so proud to be sitting here.”

South Africa only scored 34 runs from their last five overs for the loss of three wickets as the Tigers bowlers managed to stem the flow of runs, with Al Hasan stopping Rossouw’s demolition in the penultimate over.

The Bangladesh captain finished with 2/33 from his three overs as the Tigers were set a 206-run target for victory.

Rossouw scored his maiden T20I century earlier this month, slapping an unbeaten 100 off 48 balls against India in Indore.

He has represented South Africa in 36 ODIs and 23 T20Is since making his international debut in 2014.

Rilee Rossouw of South Africa. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Highest partnerships at Men’s T20 World Cups

166 – Mahela Jayawardene & Kumar Sangakkara (SL) vs WI, 2010

163 – Quinton de Kock & Rilee Rossouw (RSA) vs BA, 2022

152* – Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) vs IND, 2021

152 – Alex Hales & Eoin Morgan (ENG) vs SL, 2014

Bangladesh hardly put up a fight in the run chase, rolled for 101 in less than 17 overs as the Proteas cruised to a comprehensive 104-run victory in the New South Wales capital.

Liton Das top-scored for the Tigers with 34 (31), while South African paceman Anrich Nortje claimed career-best figures of 4/10 from 3.3 overs.

South Africa will next face India at Perth Stadium on Sunday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 10pm AEDT.