Report & Reaction: Southern Vipers v Central Sparks, RHFT
Read the match report & hear reaction from Southern Vipers' Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match against Central Sparks at Wormsley
Hampshire batsman Rilee Rossouw once again ended the Bangladesh Premier League as the competition’s top run-scorer as his side, Khulna Tigers, were defeated in the final against the Rajshahi Royals.
The South African topped the list of run-getters for a second straight campaign, scoring 495 runs in 14 innings at an average of 45 for the side in this year’s edition, after finishing with 558 runs in last year’s tournament.
In the left-hander’s first BPL group game, Rossouw hit a fluent 64 not out and was awarded the player of the match award as his side easily defeated the Chattogram Challengers by eight wickets in Dhaka.
Rossouw continued this form in the Tiger’s following fixtures. Chasing 138 to beat the Rangpur Rangers, he dismantled a bowling attack which included Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammed Nabi, crunching 66 not out at a strike rate of 212 as the Tigers once again won by eight wickets.
Rossouw’s finest performance in the tournament came against the Cumilla Warriors, coming in at number three, the Hampshire man top scored with 71 not out from just 36 balls including six 4’s and four 6’s at a strike rate of just under 200, as his team claimed a 34-run win.
This excellent form continued throughout the tournament with scores of 42, 35, 48, 52 helping to propel the Tigers to the competition final, and despite falling just short in the decider, Rossouw starred for a final time as he struck a quick-fire 37 in his side’s chasing effort.
His sensational form follows a positive 2019 season at the Ageas Bowl, one which saw him total more than 1,100 runs across all formats. The batsman’s winter is not done yet though, as he heads to Pakistan to play in the Pakistan Super League for the Mulan Sultans where he will join up with Hampshire captain James Vince. After winning the competition last year with the Quetta Gladiators, Rossouw will be looking to repeat the same feat with his new side.
The best way to catch Rilee and the rest of the Hampshire squad in action all season long is with a 2020 Hampshire Cricket membership.
More information on each Membership offering can be found online via the link above, over the phone on 0844 847 1863 or in person at the The Ageas Bowl Ticket Office (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm).
Read the match report & hear reaction from Southern Vipers' Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match against Central Sparks at Wormsley
Keep up with the action as Southern Vipers take on Central Sparks in the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Wormsley
Southern Vipers have named a 14 -player squad to take on Central Sparks at Wormsley in their first home match of 2024