Cricket: Levi blasts fastest Twenty20 ton

South Africa clinch second match against New Zealand.

HAMILTON: South Africa’s Richard Levi rewrote the record books with a magnificent unbeaten 117 as the Proteas crushed New Zealand by eight wickets in the second Twenty20.

Levi’s 45-ball century was the fastest in Twenty20s and included 13 sixes, the highest in the shortest format, as South Africa reached the 174-run target with ease.

“It was good fun, every shot I played came off,” said Levi. “I just kept myself calm and collected and kept going.”

Earlier, New Zealand made 173 for four, but did not dominate the bowling as South Africa produced a better display than their opening match. Martin Guptill top-scored with 47, while Rob Nicol made a quickfire 23.

De Villiers was delighted with Levi’s show in the match.

“I was telling Levi to get off strike once we were at 10 an over but he just kept sending them flying,” he said.

The three-match series is now level with the final game scheduled for Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2012.