Picture Credit: Twitter
South Africa is currently participating in the ongoing T 20 World Cup 2022 seeking to lift the prestigious title for the first time ever since its inception. After their first match against Zimbabwe was abandoned due to rain, Temba Bavuma-led side delivered dominating performance against Sri Lanka as the former team clinched the game by 104 runs. Notably, South Africa is placed in the Group 2 alongside India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, a cricket journalist highlighted an interesting fact on Twitter stating that a South Africa-born cricketer who earlier played international games for Netherlands has shifted his base to New Zealand and made his international debut for Blackcaps against Scotland. Identified as Michael Rippon, the 31-year-old is a right-handed batter and left-arm wrist spinner by trait moved to Netherlands and played for them in international circuit.
The all-rounder played nine One-Day Internationals and 17 T20Is before he shifted his base to New Zealand and made his international debut against Scotland. According to the cricket journalist, Rippon became the first cricketer to play for nations from two different continents in international cricket.
"Michael Rippon is the first player to represent countries from two different continents in international cricket, which are different from his continent of birth. Played for Netherlands, Now playing for New Zealand, Born in South Africa,” his tweet read.
However, this is not the first time that cricketers from South Africa have left their homeland and gone to represent another nation in international cricket. Prolific England all-rounder Kevin Pietersen was born in South Africa, while Devon Conway shifted his base from South Africa to New Zealand. In fact, Grant Elliot was also born in South Africa but went on to play for the Blackcaps. Marnus Labuschagne who has performed sensationally well in Test cricket was also born in South Africa. However, he plays for Australia cricket team now. Even Jason Roy is also a South African by birth but plays for England.
Speaking of ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, New Zealand is placed in Group 1 alongside defending champions Australia, Afghanistan, England, Sri Lanka and Ireland. Kane Williamson-led side clinched their first game against Australia while second game against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain. New Zealand will play their third game against Sri Lanka on October 29 at Sydney Cricket Ground, while South Africa will face mighty India on October 30 (Sunday).
