A new team in the Rhodes Internal Premier League (RIPL) promises to bring colour… and a secret weapon to the third edition of the league.
The Pink Platypus XI replaces the now redundant Rebel Rangers in the 2011 edition of the flamboyant RIPL 20/20 cricket tournament.
A new team in the Rhodes Internal Premier League (RIPL) promises to bring colour… and a secret weapon to the third edition of the league.
The Pink Platypus XI replaces the now redundant Rebel Rangers in the 2011 edition of the flamboyant RIPL 20/20 cricket tournament.
Made up predominantly of the Rhodes 4th XI, the Shrews, the Platypuses have been written off by many RIPL pundits as being somewhat of a joke.
However the determined 14-man squad will have other ideas, as many of the players have never played in the RIPL and will be relishing the opportunity to come up against some of Grahamstown’s best cricketing talent.
Skipper Michael Griffin believes firmly in his team’s ability to cause some upsets this year: “We have a determined outfit and I think we have some serious potential in our side.”
On paper they may look weak, but for one name which will send shivers down the spines of all opponents – James Price. The Port Elizabeth-based Price, formerly of St Andrew’s College, is a member of the South African U19 cricket team.
In last year’s RIPL he scored a scintillating 183 not out for the Panthers against the Smuts Sultans, a record that only he is likely to be able to break. Price has remained loyal to his skipper, Griffin, and has followed him in the move from the Panthers to the Platypuses.
But they are not simply a one-man team and the Platypuses will look to their lanky opening bowler, Andrew Duncan, and his fiery partner, Jason Johnston, to cause damage upfront.
The unpredictability of Stu Rayner’s “Goggo Adams”-style bowling will also be a key weapon in Griffin’s armoury, along with Mark Fulton’s tidy left-arm seamers.
In the batting department, the dependable Dyl Fetting and Nick Raw will be expected to provide good back-up to the dangerous Price.
The Platypuses are set to add a lot of colour and character to the RIPL, as they will be donning a daring bright pink and navy blue kit, similar to that of the English County, Middlesex.
Despite the fact that they are this year’s underdogs, they have the potential to cause massive upsets and will undoubtedly be entertaining, especially if Price is available.
Squad: Michael Griffin (c), Warwick Austin (vc), Charles Raw (wk), Mark Harrison (wk), James Price, Nick Raw, Duncan Potts, Anthony Kaufmann, Nick Theron, Dyl Fetting, Stu Rayner, Andrew Duncan, Jason Johnston and Mark Fulton.
