Olie Rayner Interview

Hi Ollie thank you for agreeing to be interviewed  for Middlesex Till We die. Before we start how are you ?

The family and I are all good thanks, been a tough year as you say but we struggle on!

1/ So what made you want to become a cricketer? 

It was quite late on when I realised I could genuinely make a career in cricket. I was late to the game comparatively speaking and played all sports, I just played because I loved playing, it went from there really.

2/ What was the reason for you joining Middlesex from Sussex?

Sussex gave me a great start to my career and all the tools to be successful however they had always had an international spinner in front of me, I was keen to see if I had what it took to be a front line spinner. I knew Lords wasn’t great for spin, but I would play and my batting catching made me a good asset as a holding spinner.

3/ Describe the feeling of Lord’s being your home ground?

I couldn’t believe my luck at 1^st, that feeling never really went away, an amazing place to call the office! And the lunches, well, need I say more!

4/ Some might say Oval was your favourite ground.?

I obviously had success at the Oval, even if it didn’t turn excessively there, it always had bounce, that is my obvious strength being so tall compared to most other spinners!

5/ Then there was that Innings at Trent Bridge as night watchman protecting our established batsmen?

That was amazing, everything just clicked and I really found my stride, tough to replicate! I can look back now and say that I under achieved with the bat, I can’t really pin point where it started to slide and I did show glimpses of my talent with the bat but nowhere near consistently enough.

6/  Am I right in saying another claim to fame is you are a German international?.

I wouldn’t say that was my claim to fame! I wouldn’t even say I was a German international, not that I wouldn’t want to be, I just never got around to playing unfortunately.

7/  That September Day 2016  Middlesex CCC County Champions describe that feeling?

Hard to tie just one feeling down, it was just incredible and although I didn’t end up having a massive say in how the match ended, the contributions I had made up until that point deserved a cold beer or 30! One of the best moments of my career, pouring pints in the Tav and waking up in my whites the next morning, magical!

8/ Unfortunately it went downhill from there what do you think caused this?

We were very fortunate to have all our best players available for the majority or the 2016 season, everyone fit and England quality players who had no way into a successful national side. After that, a few injuries crept in, myself included and it disrupted the momentum and the dynamic of the side, that didn’t help things for sure. There were a few things that went against us but that tends to be the way when you’re in a rut.

9/ Summarise your time at Middlesex?

On the whole, I loved it, the early days were some of the best in my life so far, enjoying life, London and I was playing cricket the way I wanted to play, I thank the club for enabling me to play with no fear, enjoyment and for allowing my personality to shine through, I pushed my luck at times but I think that’s what made me the player I was in my early years!

10/ How was  last season at Kent?

It was good, but tough. The realisation that my career was slipping away and I was no longer part of something that I had loved on the whole for so long knocked my confidence. I’d just had my daughter Mia and was away from Beth and her so that element was tough. Getting the chance to play and enjoy the game again was great and I’m grateful that I finished my playing days having found some love for it again!

Thank you for your answers. In my eyes you will always be a Middlesex legend. I wish you well for the future.

PS Say hi to your dad. 

Thank you to you and all the other supporters but especially the Middlesex Till I Die mob, I feel privileged to have been a part of the club and given some enjoyable moments to watch and join in with, drinks in the Tav and coming over to share that moment when we won, great memories!

I wish the club all the best going forward and hope they get back where they belong!