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Ken Borland


Archive for February, 2012


SuperRugby preview 0

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Ken

Cheetahs
The Cheetahs know how to get the best out of limited resources and nobody expected them to finish as high as they did last season, especially since they were decimated by injuries.
Having finished 11th, beating the Waratahs, Brumbies and Crusaders along the way, the Cheetahs will go into the 2012 campaign with some confidence.
They need to learn how to win the close matches though – they lost by less than seven points seven times last year – but they will also know they could be playing for their SuperRugby future with the Southern Kings set to replace one of the South African franchises next year.
Much will depend on how well key players like Juan Smith and Coenie Oosthuizen recover from injury; and on how young flyhalves Johan Goosen and Sias Ebersohn perform.
It will also be important for them to tighten up in defence and find an adequate replacement for scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, who was the joint leading try-scorer in SuperRugby last year but has now joined the Waratahs in Australia.

FIVE BIGGEST PLAYERS

Heinrich Brussow: Crucial for both the Springboks and the Cheetahs, the openside flank’s work scavenging for the ball is vital for the continuity of the central franchise’s attacking game plan.
Juan Smith: How well the 31-year-old recovers from achilles surgery will go a long way to determining how well the Cheetahs fare. The talismanic blindside flanker is their regular captain, a fierce tackler and a strong ball-carrier.
Johan Goosen: The 19-year-old flyhalf was a big hit in last year’s Currie Cup, his massive boot catching most of the attention. But he also has slick hands and tackles bravely, so it could be a breakthrough season for the product of the great Grey College nursery.
Coenie Oosthuizen: It’s not often a prop ends a match with the most tackles or ball-steals, but the 22-year-old is no ordinary front-rower. He has already toured with the Springboks, is a strong scrummager who can pack down on either side, extremely mobile and he has good hands!
Ashley Johnson: The 25-year-old has not played more than his three Tests because of the loose forward riches South Africa has, but he is a livewire eighthman, a bustling defender and a pacy, strong ball-carrier.

Coach: A former Springbok hooker, Naka Drotske believes in the old-fashioned virtues of forward platforms and strong defence, but the only man to win the Currie Cup as both a player and coach is also not averse to his team playing with ball in hand.

Captain: Hooker Adriaan Strauss has also not played as many Tests (9) as he could have due to fierce competition for the number two jersey from John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis and Chiliboy Ralepelle in recent years, but the 26-year-old is a livewire player, throwing himself around the field, and also a force on attack.

New signings: Fullback Willie le Roux, one of the stars of Boland’s Currie Cup First Division triumph last year, and former Sharks flank Justin Downey.

Last year: 11th (P16 W5 L11)

Stormers
Running the ball is the Stormers way, but it was their outstanding defence that made them serious SuperRugby challengers again in 2011. Having lost in the 2010 final against the Bulls, the Stormers again fell short last year, being thumped 29-10 by the Crusaders in Cape Town in the semi-finals.
The backline does not want for talent, despite the departure of Jaque Fourie, but the tight five needs to lay the platform.
The Stormers will also pray that the injury curse that struck them so badly last year is a thing of the past.
Habana, De Villiers and Burger are the guys the rest of the team will look up to, while the likes of Bekker, Vermeulen, De Jongh, Aplon and Elstadt are poised to really stamp their mark on SuperRugby after a disappointing finish to their campaign last year.
Allister Coetzee, a quiet figure as coach, will need to adapt to having greater authority as he takes over as the director of rugby following Rassie Erasmus’s departure.

FIVE BIGGEST PLAYERS
Jean de Villiers: The Stormers will look to the most-capped Springbok centre of all time to organise their exciting backline. There will be added responsibility as well for the 30-year-old because his long-time partner Jaque Fourie has moved to Japan.
Andries Bekker: The towering lock will ensure the Stormers get enough lineout ball, and he is seriously mobile as well, getting around the field in massive strides. The designated successor to Victor Matfield needs to shrug off several recent injuries.
Duane Vermeulen: Hailing from the tropical bushveld city of Nelspruit, the loose forward missed out on the World Cup due to injury after a fine 2011 SuperRugby campaign. The 25-year-old’s massive physical presence and abrasiveness is a comforting thought for the Stormers, who are often accused of lacking grunt up front.
Juan de Jongh: The 23-year-old has already done the business in 10 Tests for the Springboks and has been earmarked as the long-term replacement for Jaque Fourie. He has all the attributes for outside centre: tremendous pace, slick hands, vision and he is a determined, watertight defender.
Gio Aplon: Blistering pace, an unerring eye for the gap and good hands make Aplon a dazzling attacking back. And courage under the high ball and tremendous tenacity in defence make him a Stormers hero.

Coach: Allister Coetzee may have failed to pick up any meaningful trophies with the Stormers, but he remains one of South Africa’s most respected coaches. The former scrumhalf was the assistant coach of the 2007 World Cup-winning side and was also in the running to succeed Peter de Villiers as Springbok coach earlier this year.

Captain: Schalk Burger is the reigning SA Player of the Year and the veteran flank is still a tremendous threat to opponents by his mere physical presence, work-rate and shrewd reading of the game.

New signings: Prolific try-scorer Gerhard van den Heever, the former Bulls wing, and 32-year-old former Springboks, Sharks and Saracens prop Deon Carstens.

Last year: 2nd, losing semi-finalists, SA conference winners (P17 W12 L5)

Bulls
Despite losing such massive names as Fourie du Preez, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw and Gurthro Steenkamp, there are many old stalwarts still with the Bulls. Coach Frans Ludeke still has a dozen Springboks to choose from, with former SuperRugby champions like Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling and Wynand Olivier still around to help build a new Bulls dynasty.
They know how to play winning SuperRugby and are not afraid of being pragmatic, while they shrugged off a horror overseas tour last year to win six matches in a row back in South Africa.
Their development of players within their structures is probably the best in the country, so if anybody can absorb the loss of such giants, it would be them.
And their fanatical fans make them tough to beat at Loftus Versfeld.

FIVE BIGGEST PLAYERS
Francois Hougaard: The short utility back is one of the most exciting players in South Africa as he showed during the World Cup. He is able to take the smallest of gaps when at scrumhalf, while he has serious pace, enough to play wing for the Springboks. Great things are expected of Fourie du Preez’s successor.
Morne Steyn: The leading scorer in last year’s World Cup should never be written off. The incumbent Springbok flyhalf is almost infallible kicking for poles, is adept at pressurising the opposition with his tactical kicking and has even sparked backlines in his day.
Chiliboy Ralepelle: The 25-year-old is expected to come into his own this year as he should no longer be playing in the shadow of other hookers. His tremendous work-rate means he pops up all over the field and he is a valuable support act in the Bulls’ attacking plans.
Juandre Kruger: The 1.97m, 107kg lock is making his SuperRugby debut but he is not a rookie and is not to be underestimated. He has already tasted considerable success with Northampton in the Heineken Cup and although not as robust as Bakkies Botha, he is more mobile, while he will bring more physicality than Victor Matfield.
Werner Kruger: A top-class tighthead prop, the 27-year-old has had a taste of international rugby now with two starts in last year’s Tri-Nations. A tall and powerful man, Kruger is a no-frills prop but was the bulwark of the Bulls scrum last year. He is also a strong tackler, a big presence at the rucks and an important cog in the lineout.

Coach: Frans Ludeke has proven to be an ideal fit for the Bulls, despite having a torrid time in SuperRugby when he coached the Lions. Ludeke is cut from the same conservative cloth as many of the Bulls players and is an eager disciple of the virtues of structure, discipline and “becoming a family”. But many critics are asking whether he can really build a new era of Bulls success now that Heyneke Meyer, Du Preez, Matfield, Botha and Rossouw are gone …

Captain: Pierre Spies had a good 2011 but the eighthman has such tremendous physical attributes and natural talent that he should be having great seasons now that he is in his prime at 26. His leadership traits are not in doubt, but the Bulls will be hoping he leads from the front on the field as well.

New signings: Exciting young Stormers outside centre Johann Sadie and his backline partner JJ Engelbrecht, hard-man flank Jacques Potgieter from Eastern Province, and former Lions star Jano Vermaak at scrumhalf.

Last year: 7th (P16 W10 L6).

Lions
South Africa’s Currie Cup champions are not expected to translate their domestic success into a SuperRugby title – the two competitions are just worlds apart.
But former All Black coach John Mitchell has instilled a tremendous team ethos and they will expect to end the campaign with their heads held high.
Given their previous SuperRugby struggles and their current financial problems, the Lions are the most likely candidates to be relegated for the Southern Kings, which could just bring out the best in them.
They have one of the best young talents in the country in flyhalf Elton Jantjies, and one of South Africa’s greatest flyhalves to guide him in Butch James.
They will be looking to veteran Springbok prop CJ van der Linde to anchor a pack that will be tested to the full in SuperRugby.
Expect players like Joshua Strauss, Derick Minnie, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar and Wikus van Heerden to play their hearts out.
FIVE BIGGEST PLAYERS
Elton Jantjies: Just 21 years old and already a Springbok and a Currie Cup winner, the flyhalf has it all: tremendous vision, great hands, a super pass and an ever-improving boot. And he tackles.
Derick Minnie: A fetcher who generally manages to stay on the right side of the law, the 25-year-old is not afraid to get stuck in and is just the sort of whole-hearted team player coach John Mitchell loves.
Butch James: The flyhalf’s brilliant performance in the 2007 World Cup final showed his true ability and, although he is 33 and on surely his last pair of knees, James will bring invaluable experience to the Lions. Although a skilful distributor, his main role will probably be as a rock-hard defender in the first channel.
Jaco Taute: The 20-year-old played in every Lions SuperRugby match last year and all but two of their Currie Cup games, saying much about his growth and ability. The fullback is lanky, strong and an elusive runner, as well as being solid under the high ball.
Doppies la Grange: You would be hard-pressed to find a more solid team-man and centre than Doppies. Which explains why Mitchell has often entrusted him with the captaincy. There is nothing flashy about the 30-year-old, but he does the basics well and is tight in defence.

Coach: John Mitchell is the sort of hard-nosed coach who generally gets what he wants. Defeat is not an option for the former All Black and he is a builder of teams; individuals are not what he is after. Having conquered the Currie Cup, making the Lions contenders in SuperRugby will be a big goal for the New Zealander.

Captain: Joshua Strauss has one of the more spectacular beards in rugby and it became an icon of the Lions’ amazing Currie Cup success. But it should not detract from what a fine player the loose forward is: a hard-hitting tackler and committed carrier of the ball, it is Strauss who does much of the dirty work for his team. It’s certainly a case of leading from the front with him.

New signings: John Mitchell is sticking with the squad he built last year, with former Waratahs and Griqualand West lock Hendrik Roodt the most notable addition.

Last year: 14th (P16 W3 D1 L12)

Sharks
The KwaZulu-Natalians have traditionally been South Africa’s most successful team in the southern hemisphere tournament and coach John Plumtree needs to figure out why they’ve gone off the boil so badly, failing to reach the semi-finals since 2008.
Inconsistency, especially at home, is one of the reasons why and Plumtree will be looking to rebuild a more cohesive team after the departure of stars such as John Smit, Stefan Terblanche, Adrian Jacobs and Gerhard Mostert.
With the versatile Smit gone and loosehead Beast Mtawarira out with a broken leg, there is some concern over the front row, previously an area of great strength. The Sharks could also do with more presence at lock, but their powerful loose trio will keep them going forward.
Much will depend on the effectiveness of their backline, with Plumtree hoping wing JP Pietersen and new signing Tim Whitehead can do a patch-up job at centre.
Most South Africans will expect the Sharks to do well, however, and certainly challenge for top spot in their conference.
FIVE BIGGEST PLAYERS
Bismarck du Plessis: The fiery 27-year-old has spent the last five years in the shadow of John Smit and will be looking to confirm himself as the best hooker in the world. Quick to the breakdown and quick to make his physical presence felt there, Du Plessis will also be looking to anchor the Sharks’ set-pieces.
JP Pietersen: Fast and powerful, busy in defence and outstanding under the high ball, the 25-year-old will be aiming to catch Bryan Habana as South Africa’s most-capped wing. Judging by the Sharks’ pre-season warm-ups, the 2007 World Cup winner could well be playing outside centre in this year’s SuperRugby tournament.
Willem Alberts: A top-class loose forward who enjoyed a dream introduction to international rugby at the end of 2010 and was a regular in Peter de Villiers’ Springbok squad thereafter. A tremendously strong man, the 27-year-old is a lethal ball-carrier and strong tackler, and can also be used as a back-up lock.
Pat Lambie: Blonde and baby-faced, the 21-year-old utility back is magical with ball in hand and has twinkle toes. But he’s no fairy in defence and his boot is a powerful weapon as well.
Freddie Michalak: The mercurial Frenchman would love to add a SuperRugby title to his tremendous list of exploits. He played a key role in the Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign last year, finishing as the leading points-scorer before they faded in the final. Coach Plumtree has indicated he wants to move the 29-year-old to scrumhalf for the SuperRugby competition, so he and Lambie can try and spark a faltering backline. Michalak is just the player to pull it off.

Coach: John Plumtree is under some pressure from the Sharks’ considerable supporter base to improve on their performances in a tournament in which they have not made the semi-finals since 2008. The genial New Zealander has made some strange choices in terms of recruitment, but also having so many Springboks in his team has led to disruption at times. The former Natal flank will be relying on his powerful pack to gel from the start.

Captain: Keegan Daniel has been named as the official captain, but the diminutive loose forward is unlikely to play in every game and Plumtree has said he wants to spread the leadership around. That’s because the Sharks have plenty of loose forward reserves and his high-tempo, expansive game may not be suited to every match in rugby’s most attritional tournament. That’s not to say, though, that he does not have the respect and admiration of every Sharks player for his do-or-die efforts on the field.

New signings: Promising former Stormers centre Tim Whitehead should help spark a disappointing backline, while fullback Riaan Viljoen and his big boot have been brought in from the Cheetahs. Former Clermont centre Marius Joubert will also return to SuperRugby, but the 32-year-old looked well off the pace in the Currie Cup.

Last year: 6th, lost in quarterfinal (P17 W10 D1 L6)

Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve 2

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Ken

The view from the southern part of Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve, looking across to the islands and Bulkop Hill.

The best feature of Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve, 50km north-west of Brits, is the overwhelming sense of peace and natural tranquility you get sitting on the shore of the large dam.

On a steamy hot February morning, it was beautiful just to sit and soak in the clear blue skies, the odd koppie and the sounds of the waterbirds going about their business. I even used the opportunity to indulge in one of my favourite treats – dipping my cap into the cool water and then throwing it over my head … Bliss!

I judged the spot where I tiptoed into the water to be crocodile-free because moments earlier a large carp had come to that spot and briefly frolicked in the shallow water …

February 16 was a very hot day, but nevertheless it was a good birding trip.

I stopped at the little bridge across the Elands River and made a great start – a couple of Blackcrowned Night Herons roosting in the overhanging riverine trees.

It was a good spot, also throwing up African Darter, a fleeing Greenbacked Heron with its orange legs dangling conspicuously, Reed Cormorant, a fleeting glimpse of a Woodland Kingfisher, Cape Wagtail, a large flock of Greater Striped Swallows, Southern Red Bishop, Whitewinged Widow, Southern Masked Weaver and Pied Kingfisher. I also heard some rustling down below the bridge and shortly afterwards a large Nile Monitor came shuffling out with a plastic bag and some vegetable/reedy matter clamped tight in its jaws.

The people at Bushwillow kindly allowed me into their bird sanctuary and highlights there were Scalyfeathered Finch, my first European Roller of the summer (leaving it late!), Jameson’s Firefinch, an Ostrich, a nicely posing Lesser Grey Shrike and Goliath Heron.

I then took a little walk down to the dam and spotted a dashing Bluecheeked Bee-Eater, swooping around like a green bullet, as well as a Whiskered Tern that was meandering across the dam before suddenly changing direction and swooping back into the water to catch something small. A couple of dainty Black Heron were also amongst the waterbirds.

A lovely shaded little pool threw up a brilliant Malachite Kingfisher that posed all-too-briefly on a reedstem for me before vanishing in a blur of dazzling colours.

I stopped for lunch at the picnic site and spotted my second ever Great Sparrow (the first was in November at Mapungubwe), hopping about in an Acacia tree along with a Crested Barbet.

The signs warning anglers about the crocodiles are true because I spotted a two-metre reptile cruising in towards the shoreline before my attention was grabbed by a pair of fairly distant African Fish Eagle.

A very yellow Cape White-Eye also popped in to visit and, just before leaving Vaalkop, I spotted an Icterine Warbler in the thicker Acacia woodland in the southern part of the reserve.

By far the most common bird of the trip was the Spotted Flycatcher … there seemed to be one lurking under a tree ever 50 metres or so! As someone who’s birding foundation was in KZN, I’m used to Blackeyed Bulbuls dominating … in fact I didn’t see a single Toppie!

But another wonderful piece of African heaven discovered not that far from home and definite food for the soul …

Sightings list

Blackcrowned Night Heron

African Darter

Greenbacked Heron

Reed Cormorant

Woodland Kingfisher

Cape Wagtail

Greater Striped Swallow

Nile Monitor

Southern Red Bishop

Whitewinged Widow

Southern Masked Weaver

Pied Kingfisher

Laughing Dove

Little Egret

Grey Hornbill

Grey Lourie

Impala

Glossy Starling

European Bee-Eater

Scalyfeathered Finch

Redbilled Quelea

Southern Greyheaded Sparrow

Lilacbreasted Roller

Pied Crow

Kudu

European Swallow

Rufousnaped Lark

Cape Turtle Dove

European Roller

Fantailed Cisticola

Nyala (females)

Jameson’s Firefinch (female)

Spotted Flycatcher

Ostrich

Whitebreasted Cormorant

Lesser Grey Shrike

Grey Heron

Goliath Heron

Blacksmith Plover

Egyptian Goose

Bluecheeked Bee-Eater

Cattle Egret

Whiskered Tern (non-breeding)

Black Heron

Sabota Lark

Malachite Kingfisher

Longtailed Shrike

Vervet Monkey

Crested Barbet

Great Sparrow (male)

Common Myna (grrrrr)

Nile Crocodile

Redknobbed Coot

African Fish Eagle

Cape White-Eye

Sacred Ibis

Rattling Cisticola

Red Hartebeest

Bushbuck

Waterbuck (pregnant young cow)

Forktailed Drongo

Southern Black Tit (female)

Redbacked Shrike (male)

Icterine Warbler

Amazing Levi makes it a cruise 0

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Ken

Richard Levi hit the ball far and wide as his world record century raced South Africa to victory by eight wickets with four overs to spare in the second T20 international against New Zealand on Sunday.

Levi’s unbelievable 117 not out saw South Africa cruise to their target of 174 in 16 overs as the muscular Capetonian’s journey to international fame took him just 51 balls and included five fours and 13 sixes.

It was not only the first century for South Africa in T20 internationals, but the quickest century in this format of the game and the most sixes in an innings. Levi reached his hundred off just 45 balls, shattering the record of 50 balls set previously by Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, and he stole another record from the legendary West Indian with his 13 sixes bettering the left-hander’s previous mark of 10.

Levi’s sheer strength and ability to hit the ball back over long-on was an absolute nightmare for the Kiwis and he would have given some Major League baseballers a run for their money with his amazing flat-bat bashes down the ground.

The short but stocky Levi ensured all the attention was on him, brushing aside the early loss of Hashim Amla for two and Wayne Parnell (mysteriously sent up the order) for four.

Amla is under pressure to be in the team for the World T20 later this year and he tried to drive his third ball over the top of the infield. But Nathan McCullum is a skilful off-spinner and he had held the delivery back, Amla going too early on the shot and skewing the ball high to a back-pedalling James Franklin at mid-off.

Parnell is a strange choice of pinch-hitter when someone like Albie Morkel is in the team and the experiment was over after just six balls as he lost his balance trying to swipe part-time spinner Rob Nicol over the leg-side and was neatly stumped by Brendon McCullum.

But South Africa were already 41 for two in the fifth over, with Levi on 29, and the Wynberg Boys High product then simply overwhelmed the New Zealand attack.

It would be diplomatic to say Levi favours the leg-side, but it was the sensible option on Sunday as Seddon Park is a small ground and the bowlers rather stupidly either bowled short or length to him.

AB de Villiers operated as the junior partner as he cruised to 39 not out off 36 balls in an unbroken South African record third-wicket stand of 133. The captain looked in good touch as he collected four fours.

Spinners Nathan McCullum (2-0-18-1) and Roneel Hira (4-0-34-0) were the only New Zealand bowlers who could consider themselves relatively unscathed, but Kiwi supporters will be wondering why James Franklin only bowled a single over that cost seven runs. The left-armer, bowling over the wicket and angling the ball away from Levi, was the only bowler who kept him quiet.

Pace bowlers Doug Bracewell (2-0-37-0), Kyle Mills (2-0-26-0) and Tim Southee (4-0-40-0) will be less chirpy than they were in the first T20 international after being bludgeoned all over Seddon Park on Sunday.

SOLID, BUT UNSPECTACULAR

New Zealand had batted solidly but unspectacularly as they amassed a so-so 173 for four in their 20 overs.

England’s Women scored 166 for seven on the same ground just a few hours earlier and the small boundaries and quick outfield at the rural ground gave South Africa’s batsmen plenty of hope.

South Africa’s attack was fiery but lacked a bit of accuracy in terms of line, too many balls sliding down the leg side.

Martin Guptill once again raced New Zealand, who had been sent in to bat, to a good start, scoring 47 off just 35 balls before trying to duck and hook at the same time and top-edging fast bowler Marchant de Lange to fine leg.

De Lange’s extra pace had earlier helped dismiss fellow opener Rob Nicol for 23, but it was the brilliant work of AB de Villiers that drew the most applause, after the South African captain had gathered the ball from an attempted pull shot that came off the body and threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end.

The New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum, dominated the third quarter of the innings with his 35 off 31 balls, before the wiles of the off-spinner Johan Botha, the best of the South African bowlers with 1-22 in four overs, dismissed him, Justin Ontong taking a good catch running in from the cow-corner boundary.

James Franklin is one of those guys South African cricket fans don’t rate highly enough, but the left-hander showed his ability on Sunday as he ignited the final quarter of the innings with four sixes off five balls. Marchant de Lange and JP Duminy were the bowlers to suffer as Franklin lashed 28 off 10 balls.

But Morne Morkel then had Franklin caught behind with a hard-to-hit blockhole ball in the 18th over and New Zealand will be disappointed they could score just 12 runs off the last two overs.

Wayne Parnell and De Lange showed that they are certainly fighters as they put tough times earlier in the innings behind them to bowl excellent closing overs.

Kane Williamson finished with 28 not out off 20 balls and South Africa’s top-order needed to bat well.

Levi instead batted brilliantly to make it a no-contest.

Levi stuns the world as SA level series 0

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Ken

Richard Levi smashed the most sixes and the quickest century ever as he raced South Africa to victory by eight wickets to level the series in the second T20 international against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

16th over – AB de Villiers seals the victory as he clears the front leg and launches Tim Southee for a one-bounce four over mid-on.

15th over – Levi goes down on one knee and smears Roneel Hira through midwicket for four, before ending the over by coming down the pitch and stroking the left-arm spinner over long-on and out the ground for his 13th six!

14th over – Levi breaks the world record for the fastest T20 century by steering his 45th delivery backward of point for a single off his wannabe nemesis Southee. The 24-year-old Cobras batsman has shattered the previous world record of 50 balls held by Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum. It is also South Africa’s first T20 international century! De Villiers clips a full ball on his pads backward of square where Doug Bracewell, having made a great diving save off the previous ball, can’t stop the boundary.

12th over – Levi breaks the world record for sixes in a T20 innings with three in the unfortunate Doug Bracewell’s over. Levi equals Chris Gayle’s record of 10 by bashing the ball straight down the ground into the sightscreen. The next ball is short and pulled over square-leg for a record-breaking 11th six and Levi ends the over with his 12th maximum, hammering a full ball outside off stump over wide long-off.

11th over – Levi equals Loots Bosman’s South African record of nine sixes in a T20 innings as he drives Hira just over a leaping James Franklin at long-off. Franklin perhaps should have been bowling the over as his left-arm seam from around the wicket and across Levi conceded just seven runs in the ninth over!

10th over – Too wide from Kyle Mills and De Villiers slashes the ball over point for four, bringing up the fifty partnership off just 29 balls. The first ball of the over to Levi brings another amazing six, flat-batted from outside off stump, straight over the bowler’s head! The next ball is full outside off and Levi lashes it through the covers for four.

8th over – Too short from Mills and Levi heaves it off the bottom of the bat, but over midwicket for six more!

7th over – Left-arm spinner Hira’s first ball is over-pitched and Levi drives it back over the bowler’s head and over the New Zealand team dugout for another six.

6th over – Take that Southee! The lippy fast bowler tries to bounce Levi, but he pulls powerfully, flat and magnificently for a six well in front of square!

5th over – WICKET – Part-time spinner Rob Nicol comes on and removes Wayne Parnell for four with his second ball. Parnell stepped out of his crease to swipe at a shortish delivery, is off-balance, misses and is stumped after sharp work by Brendon McCullum. Levi ends the over by launching a drive beautifully straight back over the bowler’s head for six.

4th over – Southee comes on and Levi bashes his first ball through mid-on for four.

3rd over – WICKET – Hashim Amla is out for two as he tries to drive Nathan McCullum over the top, but he’s too early on the shot and he skews the ball high to a back-pedalling James Franklin at mid-off. Wayne Parnell ends the over by driving the off-spinner sweetly, inside-out, over extra cover for four.

2nd over – Pace from the other end via Bracewell but he bowls three balls down leg – the first is flicked nonchalantly for six by Levi, who then pulls and flicks to fine leg as well for two fours.

1st over – Off-spinner Nathan McCullum again opens the bowling for New Zealand and Levi top-edges a sweep over fine leg for six.

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  • Thought of the Day

    Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep walking in step with the Spirit.”

    There is only one Christ and all things that are preached in his name must conform to his character. We can only know Christ’s character through an intimate and personal relationship with him.

    How would Christ respond in situations in which you find yourself? Would he be underhanded? Would he be unforgiving and cause broken relationships?

    “The value of your faith and the depth of your spiritual experience can only be measured by their practical application in your daily life. You can spend hours at mass crusades; have the ability to pray in public; quote endlessly from the Word; but if you have not had a personal encounter with the living Christ your outward acts count for nothing.” – Solly Ozrovech, A Shelter From The Storm

     

     



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