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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.
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.”
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
