Levi hoping to keep his place

Johannesburg - Richard Levi hopes to retain his place in South Africa's T20 squad in an effort to prove his worth during the home tour against New Zealand starting next week.

In only his second T20 International, Levi smashed a stunning unbeaten 117 off 51 balls, including a record 13 sixes, against the Black Caps in Hamilton in February.

His form has since waned, however, with the 24-year-old top-order batsman contributing only 101 runs in his last nine T20 Internationals.

"People have concerns whether I can play international cricket," Levi said on Wednesday.

"I've had four or five bad games in T20 cricket, but you ask any player, it either goes for you or it doesn't."

Selection convenor Andrew Hudson and Proteas T20 coach Russell Domingo were expected to name the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand on Thursday, and Levi hoped to be included.

If not, he said he would focus on shining for the Cobras as they prepared to tackle the Highveld Lions in the One-day Cup final at the Wanderers on Friday.

"I've scored some runs and found some form, so I hope I'll be selected," he said.

"If I don't then I've just got to keep performing for the Cobras and take it from there."

Hudson said domestic form was a good indicator of international form, but the two did not always correlate.

"You will get some guys who can perform very well domestically but cannot step up internationally," Hudson said.

"He (Levi) might say that he has not performed internationally, but for a lot of players like Richard, it's all about building knowledge, building your skills and ability to perform in any environment."

Levi would need to develop his game, according to Hudson, if he was to compete at the highest level.

"Richard is going to have to adapt his game and learn how to change and adapt to different situations.

"Initially you play a certain way, and that gets you through, which is fine, but it happens to every cricketer that after a while guys analyse you, they get to grips with your game, your strengths and weaknesses.

"It's not about being found out at international level, it's about him growing his game to be able to cope with different situations and circumstances.

"There is no doubt that he has enormous potential."