WATCH: CSK's Dewald Brevis make a statement in England's T20 Blast, smashes first ball for six in match-winning 32-ball 68 for Hampshire

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) South African recruit Dewald Brevis travelled to England for T20 Blast and made a statement straightaway with a blazing half-century. In Hampshire's campaign opener, Brevis aka 'Baby AB' announced his arrival with a six off the first ball he faced against Essex at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. 

Brevis walked in to bat in the ninth over of the innings after skiper James Vince was dismissed for a 31-ball 62. Leg-spinner Matthew Critchley pitched one up and Brevis smashed it over long-on for a six. 

In the 12th over, Brevis went after Paul Walter and hit him for two sixes and three fours. He reached his half-century from just 21 balls. The Proteas batter shared an 80-run partnership with opener Toby Albert who scored 54 runs from 34 balls. In the 17th over, Brevis lost his wicket to Samuel Cook. His 32-ball 68 knock featured four fours and six sixes. 

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Liam Dawson's unbeaten six-ball 19 cameo helped Hampshire post 230/7. In the run chase, Essex faltered early. Apart from Michael-Kyle Pepper's 38-ball 51, no Essex batter fired and they were bowled out for 124 in the 17th over. Hampshire won by 106 runs. Dawson was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 26 runs. Brevis took two catches in his first game of T20 Blast 2025 season as well.

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Brevis' run for CSK

Brevis has been in fine form of late. He joined CSK as a replacement player midway through the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. While CSK finished at the bottom of the points table, Brevis was one of the positives for the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winning franchise. 

The 22-year-old scored most runs as an overseas player for CSK in the season. From six innings, he accumulated 225 runs at an average of 37.50, including two half-centuries. His strike rate was an impressive 180.

National call-up on cards?

Before the IPL 2025, Brevis was doing well in domestic cricket as well for Titans. It will be interesting to see if Brevis gets recalled to South Africa's T20I squad. He made his T20I debut in 2023 and scored just five runs from two games against Australia. He is yet to play in ODIs and Tests.