SA in New Zealand
Levi’s coming home
2012-02-21 09:38
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Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – Explosive new Proteas batting sensation Richard
Levi will return to South Africa, as initially scheduled, after completion of
the Twenty20 international series against New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday.
GALLERY: New Zealand v SA T20
This was confirmed by selection convenor Andrew Hudson in an
audio media release issued by Cricket South Africa on Tuesday morning.
There has been a clamour from various critics, enthusiasts
and some former national players – including captains Kepler Wessels and Clive
Rice and seamer and ex-selector Craig Matthews – for Levi to stay on for the
one-day international series following his multiple record-smashing 117 not out
in just his second appearance for the Proteas in the second T20
international at Hamilton on Sunday.
Wessels said it would amount to “selection madness” if he
didn’t stay on, even if it meant adding to the 14-strong ODI squad picked a few
weeks ago.
But Hudson said: “It is very important that we honour the
selection process in terms of the 14 guys selected for the ODIs.
“It’s unfortunate that Richard will have to wait his turn.
Certainly he can go home and play in the MiWay T20 Challenge; we need to focus,
nurture and grow him for the ICC World Twenty20 in September.
“In terms of his one-day aspirations I hope that will follow
in due course.
“He’s a fine player and we hope one day he represents South
Africa in the ODI format as well.”
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