I confess that before today I had never heard of Richard Levi, but suddenly not only has his name finally entered my consciousness but also the record books. In the South Africans' tour opener against Canterbury last week, a rapid 63 ensured he made his T20I debut. An unremarkable 13 at Wellington hardly prepared us for what followed at Hamilton.
Replying to New Zealand's 173-4, Levi simply went nuts. At the other end, Amla faced only three balls before falling for 2 with the score already at 25. Parnell was similarly starved of the strike as the 24 year-old continued his onslaught against McCullum, Bracewell, Southee et al. On an admittedly small ground, he smashed no fewer than thirteen sixes to beat Gayle's international T20 landmark, and also landed himself with the fastest ever century in this format (45 balls). He eventually saw his side home with an unbeaten 117 off 51 balls, accompanied by AB de Villiers who must have found it strange to be the junior partner in a massive partnership.
So who is Richard Levi? A very promising graduate of the esteemed Wynberg Boys High School, which also produced Lamb and Kallis, he was a member of his country's under-19 World Cup squad six years ago, then scored 82 not out on his first-class debut for Western Province in an innings victory. He has yet to reach the 2000 run mark and has a moderate average of 37-odd with four centuries. His List A average is also modest, at 31, but his strike rate of 106 suggests the power that lurks in his frame. In 34 T20 matches, that rate averages more than 150, handsomely swollen by today's monumental effort. He created a bit of a stir in last year's Champions League for Cape Cobras, too.
Should he continue this kind of form, the Proteas must be licking their lips at the prospect of going into the T20 World Cup with Levi and Amla, plus AB, Parnell et al. However, this is only one innings, great as it was. So far it is his only century in Twenty20 and it was hardly chanceless, well-timed slogs mixed with fortunate top edges. However, he will send chills down the spines of opposing bowlers unless the Black Caps can staunch the flow of sixes in the next game. Could he play a part in SA's 50-over squad, too? Must be worth a punt, although they have a pretty formidable batting line-up already. Definitely one to watch and my Man of the Moment.
