Sydney – Reeza Hendricks doesn’t pretend to know what may be troubling good pal Rilee Rossouw, but he’s more than happy to lend an ear if required, in the brief time he’ll be here in Australia.
Hendricks and Rossouw go way back – well as far back as a pair of 25-year-olds can go – and Rossouw’s struggles since making his debut for the national side in Zimbabwe have been difficult to watch for his Knights teammate.
Hendricks has been called up to the South African side for the T20 series against Australia and one of the first things he sought to do upon arriving at the team’s hotel near Sydney’s famous harbour, was chat to Rossouw. “It hasn’t been a good start for him,” Hendricks said this week. “I’m sure he’ll bounce back. He’s just one knock away, that’s how any batsman in his position must think and I’m sure he will too – that he’s one knock away from making a big hundred.”
Four of Rossouw’s six innings for South Africa have ended in ducks – three have been first-ballers – it’s an ugly statistic that stands in complete contrast to his stunning achievements at domestic level. Perhaps more than anyone else in the South African team, Hendricks knows how good a player Rossouw is – because he’s normally been at the other end watching his batting partner churn out the runs.
“There’s nothing more he can do besides hang in there, everyone knows he’s a good player.
“We are two different types of players. His game is completely different to mine, so we compliment each other. For some reason we have done well together in the past. He hits different areas. There’s not much communication when we are at the crease together, we just remind each other to enjoy it and play it as you see it.”
Maybe having that familiar face at the other end will prove helpful to Rossouw should the pair play together in the T20 series.
Hendricks has overcome a slow start in this season’s Sunfoil Series to post impressive performances in the Momentum One-day Cup, most notably his record 181 against the Dolphins in Kimberley two weeks ago. “My form’s been quite good, to be honest, I’ve been playing quite well back home, so I’m feeling really confident.”
This series is a good opportunity for Hendricks to test his feet in international waters. There’s a feeling that Hendricks’ talent is yet to flourish fully. Nine first class centuries in 147 innings seems to spell that out. Instead, supporters have seen many elegant 60s and 70s, but to succeed internationally those need to be turned into something more substantial.
“I want to enjoy the occasion, the experience, and hopefully contribute. It would be nice to win the series.”
Australia is not new to Hendricks – he was here earlier this year for the South African A side, who played a quadrangular series featuring India A, Australia A and a local development side. His returns with the bat were very much in keeping with his career – he was the second highest run-scorer for South Africa, behind Rossouw ironically – but, while he made three 50s in six innings, he could turn none of those into a three-figure score. Rossouw, meanwhile, also went past 50 three times, but turned one into a century.
“I can’t say I’ve had bad experiences, either on or off the field. I really enjoy Australia. It’s good hard cricket, which will bring out the best in you,” said Hendricks.
SCHEDULE
Tomorrow(SUN): Warm-up match, Cricket Australia XI v South Africa, North Sydney Oval; Sydney
Wednesday:1st Twenty20 International, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide Oval
Friday:2nd T20I, Australia v South Africa, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, November 9:3rd T20I, Australia v South Africa, Stadium Australia; Sydney - Saturday Star