Exclusive Interview: I loved the theatre Shane Warne created out in the middle, says Michael Rippon
The ICC World T20 2016 is almost here and teams are busy in getting the perfect starting XI. Netherlands, honk Kong and others have arrived in India and the warm up matches have been going on. Amidst that, Michael Rippon of Netherlands took out some time to have a short chat with Deep Mehta. Here's what he had to say about playing for Netherlands, his early career, and life off cricket.
1. When did you start playing school cricket and who motivated you to do so?
I started playing cricket when I was 6 years old. My dad used to throw buckets of rubber balls at me in the backyard. It was also a compulsory sport at school. I loved the sport from the beginning so decided to take it up.
2. You moved to England In 2012 to join Sussex. What motivated you to make this move?
I wanted to start my career overseas. After a season with the Cobras, I was offered a 2 year contract with Sussex which I thought would be a good move to improve my cricket.
3. You made your debut against Kent in the Friends Life T20 championship and finished with 4-23 to lead your side Sussex to a victory. How did you feel at that point of time?
At that stage, I was very excited about my future prospects in England. I had been on the bench for the first couple of games waiting for my clearance from the England Cricket Board, I was delighted to be given an opportunity and perform amongst world class Players.
4. Your first Man of The Match award came against Canada in the One Day format. You returned with impressive figures of 10-1-37-4. How would you that experience?
To be honest, it was a bit of an anti climax because in our previous game against Kenya, we lost the game. The game against Canada was a bit of a dead rubber but of course I was very pleased with my personal performance.
5. You are one of those rare breeds of cricketers bowling left arm chinaman. Did it come naturally to you or did you develop the art?
When I was young, I used to bowl some medium pace as all kids do. Ian Trott (Jonathan Trott's father) convinced me to bowl Spin. I started off bowling finger spin for a change. When I was 15, I made the switch to wrist spin. I love bowling and all the challenges that come with it.
6. You were born and brought up in South Africa. When did you decide to shift from South Africa to Netherlands? What was the reason for the same?
I only play for the Netherlands but am still based in the U.K. I play cricket in South Africa during the off season. The major reason was to get more exposure and gain the experience.
7. Who is your role model and why?
Shane Warne. I loved the theatre he created out in the middle. He was always in control and was just a pleasure to watch.
8. What do you like to do when not playing cricket? What are your hobbies?
I am a gadget man. Hiking, golf, beach and anything outdoors. I have part time studies. I'd love to develop a new hobby in cooking.
9. Any advice that a senior player gave you at Sussex or while playing in the multiple tournaments?
There was no single advice that sticks in my mind but what my 2 years at Sussex did teach me was discipline and how to think and behave like a professional. As a cricketer you are going to have bad days. The beauty about county cricket is that you play so much that if you have a bad day you really have to learn from it and put it behind you very quickly otherwise it is going to affect you in upcoming games.
10. What is your ultimate dream? Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?
My short term goal is to get into another county and get into a system where I can add value in the longer run. However, I am enjoying playing for the Netherlands at the moment and look forward to the challenges ahead with the T20 World Cup looming.
11. Finally, what message you would like to give to your fans?
To the Dutch fans who will be following us in Dubai and India, You can be guaranteed that we will all be giving 100 percent to the national cause.
Excerpts from the Interview:
1. When did you start playing school cricket and who motivated you to do so?
I started playing cricket when I was 6 years old. My dad used to throw buckets of rubber balls at me in the backyard. It was also a compulsory sport at school. I loved the sport from the beginning so decided to take it up.
2. You moved to England In 2012 to join Sussex. What motivated you to make this move?
I wanted to start my career overseas. After a season with the Cobras, I was offered a 2 year contract with Sussex which I thought would be a good move to improve my cricket.
3. You made your debut against Kent in the Friends Life T20 championship and finished with 4-23 to lead your side Sussex to a victory. How did you feel at that point of time?
At that stage, I was very excited about my future prospects in England. I had been on the bench for the first couple of games waiting for my clearance from the England Cricket Board, I was delighted to be given an opportunity and perform amongst world class Players.
4. Your first Man of The Match award came against Canada in the One Day format. You returned with impressive figures of 10-1-37-4. How would you that experience?
To be honest, it was a bit of an anti climax because in our previous game against Kenya, we lost the game. The game against Canada was a bit of a dead rubber but of course I was very pleased with my personal performance.
5. You are one of those rare breeds of cricketers bowling left arm chinaman. Did it come naturally to you or did you develop the art?
When I was young, I used to bowl some medium pace as all kids do. Ian Trott (Jonathan Trott's father) convinced me to bowl Spin. I started off bowling finger spin for a change. When I was 15, I made the switch to wrist spin. I love bowling and all the challenges that come with it.
6. You were born and brought up in South Africa. When did you decide to shift from South Africa to Netherlands? What was the reason for the same?
I only play for the Netherlands but am still based in the U.K. I play cricket in South Africa during the off season. The major reason was to get more exposure and gain the experience.
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Rippon will be an integral part of the squad for the World T20 in India.
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Shane Warne. I loved the theatre he created out in the middle. He was always in control and was just a pleasure to watch.
8. What do you like to do when not playing cricket? What are your hobbies?
I am a gadget man. Hiking, golf, beach and anything outdoors. I have part time studies. I'd love to develop a new hobby in cooking.
9. Any advice that a senior player gave you at Sussex or while playing in the multiple tournaments?
There was no single advice that sticks in my mind but what my 2 years at Sussex did teach me was discipline and how to think and behave like a professional. As a cricketer you are going to have bad days. The beauty about county cricket is that you play so much that if you have a bad day you really have to learn from it and put it behind you very quickly otherwise it is going to affect you in upcoming games.
10. What is your ultimate dream? Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?
My short term goal is to get into another county and get into a system where I can add value in the longer run. However, I am enjoying playing for the Netherlands at the moment and look forward to the challenges ahead with the T20 World Cup looming.
11. Finally, what message you would like to give to your fans?
To the Dutch fans who will be following us in Dubai and India, You can be guaranteed that we will all be giving 100 percent to the national cause.
Exclusive Interview: I loved the theatre Shane Warne created out in the middle, says Michael Rippon
Reviewed by Unknown
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10:51:00
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
10:51:00
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