Hamilton – Former Wynberg Boys High cricketer Richard Levi, 24, smashed two world records for South Africa in New Zealand on Sunday, leaving global superstars Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum in the shade.
Following in the footsteps of another Wynberg Boys hero, Jacques Kallis, Levi, in just his second Twenty20 international, spearheaded SA’s successful run chase in the second T20 against New Zealand with an unbeaten 117 off just 51 balls to level the three-match series.
The powerfully built opener smashed two of Gayle’s records – the most sixes in an innings (13; Gayle 10) and the fastest to reach a century (45 balls; Gayle 50) – and equalled the highest score previously held by the West Indian. New Zealand captain McCullum’s 116 not out now drops to third on the list.
“I think if Chris Gayle and Brendon were opening here they might have got it in nine overs,” Levi joked. “They are special players. They have been doing it years. I have done it just once, maybe if I do it more often – only then can I be considered one of them.”
Levi brought up his 50 off 25 balls, five balls slower than his second 50, with 98 runs coming in boundaries. He was an unstoppable force, smashing sixes at will. It was not only the Black Caps bowlers who were under fire, but the sold-out crowd in the pavilions too. A television floor manager was whacked on the back of the head, balls flew over the team dugouts, the media centre was under constant threat, and the sightscreen was blasted.
Does the 24-year-old regard it as his best innings ever?
“I recently played a similar type knock at the Wanderers, where I also got a hundred, but taking into consideration what was at stake here, this is my best knock. It eclipses that knock, especially as playing for your country is different to playing for your franchise.”
Proteas captain AB de Villiers was alongside his young star, providing encouragement and keeping him calm after Levi had experienced a nervous debut last Friday at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
“I think you always want to prove yourself to your new teammates so I was a little bit nervous and it didn’t really go my way,” Levi said afterwards. “Tonight though it all came off, and having AB there was really good. All I remember from the innings is AB coming across to me every over and telling me to keep calm and that we should finish it,” Levi said.
The former SA Schools captain also won a small personal duel on Sunday. New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee who dismissed him in the Wellington opener and had choice words for him on his dismissal. Southee also attempted a short-pitch strategy, and again backed it up with a verbal barrage, which on this occasion Levi handled with the experience of a senior player.
“As a youngster coming into the side, it is expected that you are going to get stick. He did say some things, but it is expected that the opposition will come to you. If you can’t handle it, then you should go back and find a way to do so,” Levi said.
After his knock Levi was a hot topic on Twitter, with some amazed that he had gone unauctioned in the highly lucrative Indian Premier League.
But none could be prouder than his father, Jonathan Levi, who groomed him.
“It was like a dream. You saw it happening but could not believe it,” he said. “It was also very difficult to watch because it could have gone horribly wrong.”
He said his son became interested in playing cricket aged 10. “He has always been passionate about cricket. At 13 he was playing for Western Province and made his way up through the ranks.”
He hoped yesterday’s batting display would open the door to selection for the T20 World Cup, but cautioned that “anything could happen between now and then”.
Richard Levi matriculated from Wynberg Boys’ High in 2005 where he played more than 150 matches for the first team. His former coach Eric Lefson said Levi had always been a strong hitter.
South Africa and New Zealand meet in the series-deciding third T20 at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. – Cape Times