Richard Levi hits fastest T20 ton in 45 balls

South Africa's Richard Levi rewrote the record books with a magnificent unbeaten 117 as the Proteas crushed New Zealand by eight wickets in the second T20 international yesterday.


Richard Levi acknowledges the crowd after ton yesterday. Pic/AFP

Levi's 45-ball century was the fastest ever in T20 internationals and included the most sixes, with 13, in a performance which had spectators at the sold out Seddon Park ground in Hamilton ducking for cover.

His 117 run total also equalled the highest ever score by a batsman in a T20 international, matching the mark set by Chris Gayle of the West Indies against South Africa in 2007.

"It was good fun, every shot I played came off, which was quite nice and I just kept myself nice and calm and collected and kept going," the hulking 24-year-old said.u00a0 The win levels the three match series 1-1 heading into the final game in Auckland on Wednesday.