Germany Calling ... And Rayner Ready To Answer

THIS has been a year of new beginnings for Middlesex spinner Ollie Rayner. He has experienced the joys of fatherhood for the first time while a recent opportunity to train with the German national team could lead to a surprise international debut.

- Jeremy Blackmore

The proud father describes the birth of his daughter as the best thing to have happened to him, while his recent experience with Germany helped renew his love for cricket.

Born in Germany into a military family in 1985, Rayner was asked by Daniel Weston, the German team’s batsman-keeper to train with the squad and pass on his experience. He found an eager audience of players including a number of immigrants and refugees with Asian backgrounds, who are deeply passionate about the game and keen to learn.

Depending on Middlesex commitments, Rayner could now represent Germany in the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Guernsey next month alongside Dieter Klein, of Leicestershire, and Glamorgan’s Craig Meschede who both hold German passports. If successful, a further qualifying round in Australia awaits with the prize of a place in next year’s T20 World Cup.

“They’re so passionate for cricket, they just need to get off the ground,” Rayner told TCP. “So, I‘ll do anything I can do to help.