Cricket
Rossouw called up to Proteas ODI squad─── 17:21 Tue, 05 Aug 2014
Morgan Piek
Bloemfontein - When it comes to good news, that old adage is that it comes in threes. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Chevrolet Knights' batting stalwart, Rilee Rossouw.
The player has just signed a two-year extension on this contract at the Knights and has recently found out he's going to become a father when his wife gives birth to a girl in October.
The 24-year-old Rossouw, who has 71 first class matches under his belt, has finally received a call-up to the Proteas squad for the three-match ODI Series against Zimbabwe next month, as well as the triangular tournament that follows it, which also includes Australia.
The player who has 17 tons to his name, as well as 22 half centuries, has been remarked to replace South African cricketing legend, Jacques Kallis in the squad.
Knights CEO, Johann van Heerden, told OFM Sport that they are over the moon with his inclusion.
"He fully deserves the chance to be called up; he had a very impressive series for South Africa A in Australia, where he top scored in both formats with an average of about 40 or 50.
"I'm very pleased he got the chance, obviously he is going to be stepping into very big boots.
"Starting off against Zimbabwe and then moving onto Australia will give him a bit of time to find his feet," said Van Heerden.
Proteas convener of selectors, Andrew Hudson, in his turn said Rossouw's inclusion was well deserved.
"Rilee is coming off a very impressive South Africa A series in Australia in which he scored 337 runs at an average of 48 with a strike rate of 96," said Hudson.
"He has also been a consistent performer in franchise cricket for some time and his selection is well deserved.
"The message is clear to all our players: if you perform at domestic level and then take it through to SA A level, you will be rewarded," said the former South African opening batsman.
The once-off test between Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club gets underway on Saturday, 9 August.
The ODIs will be played from 17 August to 4 September.
