Pretoria Capitals batsman Rilee Rossouw flipped his arm around.
- Pretoria Capitals batsman Rilee Rossouw took pride in the only wicket he took during his team’s 29-run win against the Paarl Royals at the Wanderers on Wednesday.
- The victory allowed the record-topping Capitals to book a place in Saturday’s final where they will face the winner of Thursday’s semi-final between the Joburg Super Kings and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
- Rossouw, who top-scored the game with 56, took the wicket from former England captain Eoin Morgan for the second time in his T20 career.
Pretoria Capitals batsman Rilee Rossouw could have scored and collected the man of the match award in his side’s 29-run win over the Paarl Royals in the first SA20 semi-final on Wednesday, but it’s Eoin Morgan’s turf that treasured.
On a square-turning Wanderers surface, Rossouw was given an over in which he not only dismissed the former England captain, but nearly knocked Evan Jones out earlier.
He only conceded three runs in the over, including a wide one, but the sight of two lefties in the middle, despite the pedigree of Morgan and David Miller, was enough for Capitals captain Theunis de Bruyn to hand him the ball. to Rossouw.
READ | The Exciting Group Stage Of SA20 Ends: How Did YOUR Franchise Do?
Rossouw, who sported a broad smile, said the tactic was discussed with Capitals coach Graham Ford prior to its precise execution in the game.
“I spoke to Fordie in practice, and I kept insisting that they only bowl in the big games,” Rossouw said.
“I took wickets in the semis and although it started as a joke, I have a decent record in the semis.
“In all seriousness, I thought there was a very good chance, so they asked me to bowl and I bowled and I knew Miller wouldn’t want to talk to me.
“Two lefties favored me, and I took Morgan out and he only took one ball from me, so it’s two-on-two for me against him.
“I felt confident.”
READ | Pretoria Capitals pick up a 29-run win over Paarl Royals to qualify for the SA20 final
In the absence of a deflecting spinner, Rossouw was actually a smart move considering the spin leg spin Adil Rashid was generating.
Senuran Muthusamy was given an early run but was pulled apart up front by Jos Buttler and was unable to take the chance later in the game.
Rossouw said he enjoyed his inning of seven balls, especially on a cozy surface.
“The wicket favored the spinners and it’s a shame we didn’t have another spinner in the team, one who can really bowl properly,” Rossouw said.
“When the opportunity comes, you have to take it and it was fun and I really enjoyed it. It’s something I’m not used to, but something I enjoyed.”
The unusual Highveld Bunsen burner also allowed Tabraiz Shamsi (2/19) to find some much-needed form, while Bjorn Fortuin (1/24) also excelled.
LOOK | What does it feel like to face lightning from Anrich Nortje at 156.4 km/h!
Rossouw, who made his entrance in the seventh over and left in the 19th after making 56 for 41 balls, applauded Shamsi for making the best use of the advantage that came his way.
Rossouw said they needed to target the Royals’ death bowling as they had identified it as a potential weakness.
“Shamo bowled incredibly well and showed again that he is a world-class spinner,” Rossouw said.
“He’s one of the best in the business and he was one of the bowlers we needed to play with because they didn’t have much in the tank at the end of the innings.
“It was a facet of the game that we were looking to target in terms of getting Shamo out and being there at the end.
“It worked in this game.”
