The winning run ends

The Black Caps' winning streak came to an abrupt halt last night when they were inroduced to South African opener Richard Levi.

South Africa stacked its side with pace bowlers, and Marchant de Lange looks as though he will pose problems as this tour develops; deceptively quick off a short run-up, de Lange went for a few, but also hurried the Black Caps batsmen up. They'll be back in the nets today no doubt, with the bowling machines cranked up to the mid-150 kmh mark!

And from the time that Levi top-edged Nathan McCullum for six in the opening over, the Black Caps' score looked way too few. That 49 of Levi's first 50 runs were scored on the leg side suggests some pretty average bowling, and that was indeed the case.

But take nothing away from Richard Levi; his innings included 13 sixes, and he now holds the records for fastest T-20 international century, and most sixes in an innings. It was a T-20 masterclass; one which the IPL spies have taken notice of. Fortunately for New Zealand, Levi is only in the Saffer T-20 team, so they only have to bowl to him once more!

T-20 cricket is all about entertainment, and the capacity crowd at Hamilton last night certainly got entertained! The Black Caps will rue taking their foot off the throat, and the six weeks ahead just got a little more formidable.