South African cricket legend AB de Villiers has extended his support to young sensation Dewald Brevis, who is currently facing a challenging phase in the SA20 2024 season playing for MI Cape Town. Dewald Brevis, known for his explosive batting, has struggled to find form, scoring just 28 runs in four games with a highest score of 10 in the previous match against the Paarl Royals.
Keep your head up- AB de Villiers’ message to Dewald Brevis
As a mentor to the young prodigy, AB de Villiers revealed in a video on his YouTube channel that he sent an encouraging text message to Brevis, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. AB de Villiers said,
“I texted him last night, I said ‘You’re close! Keep your head up. Keep going one ball at a time.’ He replied with ‘I will do that. Thank you very much’ with a heart emoji,”
Acknowledging Brevis’s eagerness and the weight of expectations on him, AB de Villiers apologized for contributing to the pressure by drawing attention to the young player. However, he believes that going through a rough patch is part of the learning curve for Brevis, adding,
“He is in a bit of a hurry. He is a young man, and it’s understandable. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders, largely because of me. I am so sorry about that,”
AB de Villiers, along with former Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga, expressed confidence that Brevis’s experience will ultimately benefit him in the long run.
Ryan Rickelton’s remarkable performance
While discussing MI Cape Town’s performances, AB de Villiers expressed his astonishment at the incredible form of opener Ryan Rickelton in the SA20 2024 season. Ryan Rickelton is tipped to be the next big thing in World cricket as he has got a wide range of shots.
Rickelton has been in phenomenal touch, amassing 337 runs at an average of 112.33 in just four games, placing him at the top of the run-scorers list. AB de Villiers admitted:
“He (Rickelton) swept me off my feet. I didn’t see this coming. He has taken his cricket to the next level. A superstar for South Africa, and I hope some IPL teams have taken notice of his ability to win games.”
Rickelton’s recent innings of an unbeaten 94 off 52 balls against the Paarl Royals showcased his match-winning capabilities, helping MI Cape Town secure victory by eight wickets while chasing a target of 173. The cricket fraternity, including de Villiers, is eagerly watching Rickelton’s outstanding run in the ongoing season.