CSA T20 Challenge 2022/23

Watch: Teenage sensation Dewald Brevis blitzes record-breaking 162, highest ever T20 innings by a South African

by Wisden Staff November 1, 2022 - 1:22pm 2 minute read

Watch: Youngster Dewald Brevis struck a magnificent 162 off just 57 deliveries with a strike rate of 284.21 during a 2022 CSA T20 Challenge clash against Knights on Monday.

Brevis started off slowly before teeing off and reaching his first fifty in 18 balls. He reached his maiden T20 hundred in 35 balls, becoming the joint-fifth fastest centurion in the format and went on to get his 150 in only 52 balls, the fastest by any batter. He improved on the existing record by Chris Gayle, who had taken an extra ball to reach the landmark during his knock of 175* in the 2013 IPL.

Brevis’s innings is the highest by any South Africa batter in T20s, breaking the record held by Pieter Malan (140 against Easterns in 2014) and Quinton de Kock (140 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022). He now also has the joint fifth-highest score in the format, with only Gayle (175*) and Aaron Finch (172) above him – along with two 162 not outs. No one has made more runs at a higher strike rate than Brevis’ 284.21, though.

Brevis’s knock contained 13 hits over the boundary, with as many fours as well, as his team posted 271-3 in their 20 overs, which was 41 too many for the rivals.

Titans’ Brevis has been nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ after he drew comparisons with AB de Villiers at this year’s Under-19 World Cup, where he ended as the leading run-scorer. Blessed with the ability to smack the bowlers in all directions, Brevis was acquired by Mumbai Indians for the 2022 season. He played seven games this season, making 161 runs at a strike rate of over 142. The highlight was a whirlwind 49 off 25 balls on debut where he hit four successive sixes in an over, including a monster 112-metre hit against Punjab Kings.