Cape Town - Richard Levi, South Africa’s new kid on the block, hopes his youth and exuberance will stand out during the two-match T20 International series against Australia.
The 23 year-old is set to make his International debut during the series starting on Thursday at Sahara Park Newlands, and is keeping his strategy simple.
“I want to bring out the youth and exuberance that the side has got at the moment,” commented Levi. “I want to put in as much energy and help out as much as I can around me. What is important to the team is a massive culture of helping the guy next to you so I’m looking forward to doing that and putting in as much as I can.”
The hard-hitting batsman stepped onto the T20 domestic scene in 2008 for the Cape Cobras and also took part in the inaugural CLT20 competition in India in 2009. For him, the Proteas' recognition has been an unexpected surprise but an amazing opportunity.
“It is a great honour to be given the colours and to be playing for the Proteas and if I do get selected to play in the two games it will be an unbelievable experience. The boys have been more than welcoming and have made me feel very happy so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The young nature of the squad is an exciting attribute, and the absence of some senior players has meant that the younger tier has had to step up to the responsibility. According to Lonwabo Tsotsobe, this has been a natural progression because of the support from the senior players.
“It is very easy to step up because you have guys like Morné Morkel and Dale Steyn who are always there to support you and to pick you up,” said Tsotsobe.
"The team has developed this culture of lifting each other up, they want you to be your own leader, you can’t always wait for AB (de Villiers) to tell you something, you must be the leader of your own space.”
Both T20 Internationals at Newlands and the Wanderers have been sold out.
The 23 year-old is set to make his International debut during the series starting on Thursday at Sahara Park Newlands, and is keeping his strategy simple.
“I want to bring out the youth and exuberance that the side has got at the moment,” commented Levi. “I want to put in as much energy and help out as much as I can around me. What is important to the team is a massive culture of helping the guy next to you so I’m looking forward to doing that and putting in as much as I can.”
The hard-hitting batsman stepped onto the T20 domestic scene in 2008 for the Cape Cobras and also took part in the inaugural CLT20 competition in India in 2009. For him, the Proteas' recognition has been an unexpected surprise but an amazing opportunity.
“It is a great honour to be given the colours and to be playing for the Proteas and if I do get selected to play in the two games it will be an unbelievable experience. The boys have been more than welcoming and have made me feel very happy so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The young nature of the squad is an exciting attribute, and the absence of some senior players has meant that the younger tier has had to step up to the responsibility. According to Lonwabo Tsotsobe, this has been a natural progression because of the support from the senior players.
“It is very easy to step up because you have guys like Morné Morkel and Dale Steyn who are always there to support you and to pick you up,” said Tsotsobe.
"The team has developed this culture of lifting each other up, they want you to be your own leader, you can’t always wait for AB (de Villiers) to tell you something, you must be the leader of your own space.”
Both T20 Internationals at Newlands and the Wanderers have been sold out.