Dutch spinner impresses teammates
RIP what? Ripsnorta? What’s that? It just one of the nicknames Otago import Michael Rippon has been given since arriving in New Zealand late last month.
The Dutch international was signed by the Volts to plug a gap in its slow bowling stocks and has made a huge impression in his first three games.
It helps that the South Africanborn player is an oddity in world cricket — there are not too many left arm leg spinners in the game. And his baffling chinaman has proved pretty useful. The 25yearold has picked up six wickets at an average of 19.83 in three matches for the province.
His value does not end there, though. He has opened the batting in the absence of the injured Hamish Rutherford and did well with 126 runs at an average of 42. His 83 against Auckland in Invercargill on Wednesday helped set up the Volts 33run win.
That success has certainly helped Rippon settle into his new environment, although he is still adjusting to the slang his new teammates use and was relieved to hear ripsnorta was a positive moniker. As far as Rippon is concerned, it is not how you start but how you
finish which counts.
‘‘I’ve started off nicely but I’ve got to keep it going,’’ he said.
‘‘It is just about consistency, really. I don’t want to be a onehit wonder. I want to keep getting the runs on the board and keep taking wickets, and hopefully we make the playoffs and then you just never know.’’
Rippon, who can turn the ball both ways, came to New Zealand with the Netherlands team in 2014 for the some World Cup qualifying matches. But his connection to the Otago team is through assistant coach Anton
Roux, who coached the Dutch before accepting a position with the Volts this season.
Otago was in desperate need of another slow bowling option and Roux called Rippon to see if he would be interested.
It was excellent opportunity for him and potentially there is a longterm gig waiting for him in Dunedin.
‘‘It is an option, definitely. At the end of the day I want to be playing professional cricket, so if that opportunity comes I’ll think long and hard about it.’’
Rippon, who was born and
bred in Cape Town, will miss the business end of the oneday tournament. He leaves for Hong Kong on February 12 to play two crucial World Cricket League games for the Netherlands.
He is talking to Otago about signing on for the remainder of the Plunket Shield and the signs look positive that he will return.
Rippon will get another opportunity to shine for his new team today. He has been named in the Otago side for its match against Wellington at the Basin reserve.
Black Caps test bowler Neil Wagner has been ruled out, having fractured his finger during the win against Auckland. He will be sidelined for four to six weeks and has been replaced in the 12 by toporder batsman Ryan Duffy. Wellington has been boosted by the return of both Tom Blundell and Luke Ronchi.
Otago is in fifth place on 10 points but can potentially slip into the top four with a win against Wellington, which leads the standings on 16 points.
Northern Districts, Auckland and Canterbury are in a tight struggle for second place with 15 points apiece, while Central Districts is buried at the bottom of the ladder with just six points.
The top four sides contest the playoffs and a maximum of 10 points is still available to each side.