Riki’s looking to fall in love again

RIKI Wessels believes playing for Staffordshire can help him to rediscover his enjoyment of the game, writes CHRIS TRAVERS.

Wessels has agreed to feature in the whiteball competitions for the county this summer – and is relishing the prospect of having a change of pace in his career.

The wicketkeeperbatsman enjoyed a 17year professional career, which took in the likes of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire in this country, as well as franchise cricket around the world.

He left Worcestershire by mutual consent midway through last summer, and will now spend 2022 playing his club cricket for Longton in the North Staffs and

South Cheshire League Premier Division, as well as headlining Staffordshire’s batting line-up in Twenty20 and 50-over matches.

“This challenge excites me,” said Wessels, of his move to play for Staffs. “It’s a different environment and probably a bit of a more relaxed approach, which gives me more freedom.

“I won’t be getting any abuse from a fan who might question my shot selection. I am playing cricket for the sheer enjoyment and that’s something I’ve not had for a long time.

“There is pressure at firstclass level because it’s your normal job.

“Everyone says you’re playing cricket for a living and it’s exciting, but it’s your life. It’s how you pay your bills and if you don’t perform you get replaced because there’s so many cricketers out there.

“You especially see it in young players and there is a lot of internal pressure they put on themselves.

“You might get a chance when a player is away on international duty and if you don’t take it in those one or two games, you’re at the back of the queue again and it could be a year before you get another chance – if you are lucky.

“You could also be coming into your first game and playing against guys who have already got five or six matches under their belts and are hitting their straps.

“So the pressure is massive from the outside as well.

“How are you supposed to succeed when you’re under that sort of pressure?”

Wessels will only play white-ball cricket for Staffordshire, though, after a realisation last summer – while on Worcestershire duty – that his affinity for the long format had waned.