A student of the Cape Ivy League schools, Richard Levi represented South Africa in the Under-19 World Cup in 2006, and quickly developed a reputation as a fearsome striker of the new ball, especially in the shortest format. Two Twenty20s into his international career, no one was in doubt of his abilities. In February 2012, opening the innings in South Africa's chase of 174 against New Zealand, Levi plundered 13 sixes - a record - in an unbeaten 117 off 51 balls. He reached his century off 45 balls, breaking the record for the fastest ton in Twenty20 internationals. Granted, the Seddon Park in Hamilton isn't the biggest ground, but several of Levi's strikes sailed well past the boundary, and would have been sixes in most arenas. Levi's success could provide South Africa with an exciting long-term replacement for Graeme Smith at the top of the order in the limited-overs formats.

Cricinfo Staff February 2012