Proteas coach hopes Brevis ‘always plays with the spirit of a 22-year-old’

AUSTRALIAN tours are renowned for the birth of future superstars.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

West Indian legend Brian Lara announced his arrival on the world stage with his maiden Test century at the SCG back in 1993 when he struck a majestic 277 in the New Year Test. It was a seminal moment in Lara's career, who later named his daughter Sydney.

Thirty-two years later the cricketing world may yet have heralded the next global phenomenon in Dewald Brevis after the Proteas’ recently completed white-ball tour Down Under.

The 22-year-old has been touted as a prodigy ever since breaking the record for the most runs at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean three years ago.

After a few years of finding his feet in the T20 Leagues around the world, Brevis shattered his glass ceiling with a breathtaking 125 not out off just 56 balls - a new record for South Africa’s highest-ever T20I score - in the second T20I against the Aussies in Darwin.

The youngster brought a fearless attitude to the crease, often prepared to attack the Australian bowling from the outset by launching a six within his first couple of balls.