MOVING ON

Looking forward to a bright future: Rilee Rossouw

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Rossouw scored two half-centuries in PSL 2017 © Cricbuzz

Rilee Rossouw, one of the three South African cricketers who opted to go the Kolpak way last month, reckoned he had no regrets over his decision and that he was already looking ahead towards a 'bright future'.

Rossouw, a 27-year-old left-handed batsman, made the decision to end his national side allegiance by penning a three-year deal with English county side Hampshire. Rossouw turned out for South Africa in 36 One-Day Internationals and 15 Twenty20 Internationals but was also being earmarked as a future Test batsman - the reason why his decision to walk away angered South Africa coach Russell Domingo.

"I'm bitterly disappointed in him. He toured Australia as the back-up batsman so he was the next batsman in. He's played most of the one-dayers and most of the T20s. He's a guy we backed after five noughts. If that was a player of colour getting five noughts, everyone would have said he was a player of transformation. But he got five noughts and we thought this was the guy who could play the closest level to AB de Villiers in the one-day team. So we've invested massively in him and I'm bitterly disappointed in his decision," Domingo had said, pulling no punches in his reaction.

A month on since making the tough call, however, Rossouw refused to dwell on the matter. "Yes, definitely no regrets, and I am looking forward to a bright future and what is in store for me," he said on Saturday (February 11) in Dubai, where he is plying his trade for the Quetta Gladiators in the second season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Rossouw swiftly moved on from his much-publicised move away, making the headlines for his on-field efforts once again. He scored two half-centuries (60 off 47 balls and 76* off 53 balls), setting up both of Gladiators' victories in the season so far. The left-handed No. 4 batsman hailed the team environment for enabling him to begin the season with two crucial knocks.

"Since day one, everyone is very positive and the two wins have put us in the right direction. Moin has helped me on what conditions to expect, and it's a good team environment and that has helped me perform. I played ball to ball and I didn't put too much pressure on myself.I believe if I prepare well and my execution is good on the day then I can perform. I don't put too much pressure on myself," Rossouw said.

© Cricbuzz

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