ICC World T20 - Levi has become a liability at the top of the order for South Africa (Part 2) - Opinion
His stats however, are not unimpressive at all. He has played 7 matches and scored 169 runs in T20 cricket, with a highest score of 117*. If one is to minus his record breaking feat however, then Levi has managed just 52 runs in 6 games, at a dismal average of 8.6. His batting is thus, characterized by sporadic bursts on the field that he manages to produce. Much like Shahid Afridi of Pakistan, Levi is virtually unstoppable when he gets going with the bat, and he normally doesn’t settle for a quick fire half-century or a 30 odd in any game. Instead he believes in maximizing whatever opportunity is there as an offering. His annihilation of attacks all around the world, is a once in a blue moon sort of an affair but such sparks of brilliance have become a rarity for South Africa, from arguably one of their most talented players in T20 cricket.
South Africa would enter this tournament on the back of an unconvincing T20 series against England. Part of their failure in the three-matchT20 series that has just concluded, could be attributed to their top order collapses, where players like Levi have failed to perform on a consistent basis. The risk of having an out of form batsman however, cannot be taken in the all important ICC World T20 of 2012, which is a global tournament ,and one that South Africa would be aiming to take up as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
The Proteas had been maligned in the past for not being able to win crunch games in major tournaments, and thus been labelled as the archetypal chokers of the modern game. South Africa is desperate to get this tag out of their way, and this would require something truly special and little room for experimentation. In light of this an out of form basher, should not be considered at the top of the order, and where scoring quick runs in the first six overs, needs to be ensured at all costs. South Africa’s ability to consolidate instead of being confident, has historically acted against them, and by employing a more experienced opener, they could well and truly thwart the possibilities of failing in the batting department this time around.
In light of this, players such as Loots Bosman could be considered as a possible replacement. Bosman, unlike Levi, has had prior World T20 experience and is an amazingly consistent player. He also has the technique to deal with the new ball and can play aggressively, where anything short or wide outside of the off-stump, is punished with impunity. Similarly, skipper AB De Villiers could contemplate over the prospect of elevating himself to open the innings, where his sound technique and penchant for scoring big runs, is exactly what is needed for the Proteas. De Villiers has also had prior experience of opening the batting for his country, and with considerable depth in South Africa’s middle-order, he should not be wary about how his elevation, could expose the loopholes in the middle-order of the team.
South Africa has also shown heavy reliance on Hashim Amla in recent times, where his ability to score big runs for his team in order for them to get off to a good start, has carried them forward. Amla’s rare failures however, have dealt a grave blow to his side’s progression towards posting a big total. In light of this, a far more astute opening batsman who could combine a solid technique with an aggressive intent is exactly what is needed for South Africa. Richard Levi may not be the man for the job.
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