Rilee Rossouw joins Melbourne Renegades ahead of BBL season

Former Proteas batsman Rilee Rossouw has joined the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

The left-hander joins countryman Imran Tahir at the franchise ahead of the next edition of the competition, which gets underway in December.

Rilee Rossouw set for BBL debut 

According to Renegades coach Michael Klinger, the side pursued the 31-year-old’s services as part of their recruitment strategy, which targets players who will be available for the whole season.

Rossouw fits that bill as he has not played any international cricket since taking up a Kolpak contract in 2016.

“Rilee has been one of the most dominant batsmen in the world in the T20 game in recent seasons,” Klinger said.

“He can bat in the top order but he can also bat in the middle and that’s probably where we’ll look to use him initially, where he’ll give us another left-hander, plays the pace bowlers well and he’s a fantastic player of spin.

“He’ll combine well with our other batsmen and to have him available for the whole tournament is really exciting.”

Michael Klinger

Return to Australia 

Rossouw played 15 T20 Internationals for South Africa, having made his debut on Australian soil, where he also featured in the 50-over world cup in 2015.

“I’ve enjoyed playing in Australian conditions before so I’m looking forward to heading over there and helping the Renegades have a successful season,” he said. “Hopefully towards the back end of the tournament we can play in front of a home crowd in Melbourne because I’ve heard the Renegades have a very passionate supporter base and I’d love to experience that.”

Rilee Rossouw

Rossouw and Tahir are two of four foreign players in the Renegades’ roster, with the Afghani duo of Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi also part of the squad.

They begin their campaign against the Perth Scorchers in Hobart on 12 December.