Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Dewald Brevis has produced exactly the kind of innings he is capable of, taking the Australian bowlers to the cleaners in the second T20I in Darwin. In an incredible display of hitting, Brevis single-handedly took the Proteas from the brink to a mammoth total, compiling the highest-ever individual score (125*) by a South African in T20Is off just 56 balls.
Down 1-0 in the three-match series, South Africa were struggling at 73/3 after nine overs. That’s where Brevis took over. He struck 15 off the tenth over and didn’t look back, taking a liking to the spinners in particular as he raced to 50 off 25 balls. He had already struck five sixes by that point.
Crucially, sub fielder Matt Kuhnemann dropped Brevis on 56, and the 22-year-old made Australia pay. Brevis’ second fifty came off just 16 balls as he pummelled the Aussie attack to all parts of Marrara Oval, achieving the second-fastest century by a South African, in just his ninth T20I.
In addition to Brevis’ clean striking, it was his solid base and excellent head position that was the hallmark of an incredible innings. Even if the Australians went wide, Brevis was in position very quickly to flay the ball through the offside. At one point, he even swatted a wide Adam Zampa legspinner gun barrell straight down the ground.
Cricket world reacts to stunning 125* off 56 balls by Dewald Brevis against Australia in Darwin
South African fans were full of joy. So were supporters of the Chennai Super Kings, as Mumbai Indians fans lamented the fact that Brevis was once part of the franchise.
“There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever. The boy can play,” wrote AB de Villiers on X (formerly Twitter).
Australia didn’t know what hit them. Here are some of the reactions to a stunning hundred.
South Africa finished with 218/7. Australia’s powerful batting lineup has a big task on their hands to chase the total and take out the T20I series.
