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MEET RIKI
First things first, we can't get away from the fact your Kepler Wesssel's son, what was it like growing up with such a figure head as a father?
Well, that's a bit tricky because at times its been amazing because I'm very proud of him and what he has achieved both on and off the field as a cricketer and as a dad, but in the same breath its also been a bumpy road because of who he is and the added pressure that's been put on me, especially within the cricket world. But I think all in all, I wouldn't have changed a thing because I'm grateful for the opportunities that were given to me and has got me to where I am today.
What sparked your decision to move to England and establish your own cricketing career?
Well, I left school in December 2003 and at the time my father was the coach at Northants, and he said if I wanted to give cricket a full go, I had to come over with him in the Feb and play in the 2nd team and academy - if all went well, I could have an opportunity to play professional cricket, and the rest is history after that!
5 years on and still only 22, you have firmly established your position within the steelbacks squad, how do you feel the 2008 season panned out for you?
I think from a personal point of view it was a very bumpy ride but one I managed to ride out. There were plenty of ups and downs but I think all in all, there were more ups. if I look back on the season from start to finish, the start was very hard and I saw myself struggling for any sort of form, but I managed to get 2 hundreds in the second team around the 2020 part of the year which kick started things for me, but once the 2020 was finished I couldn't get back into the championship side do to the strength of the squad. But once a few injuries started to arrive, I got another extended run and finished the season the strongest player.
Will we see the return of the gloves in 2009?
ha-ha, well, id like to say yes, but unfortunately things don't always turn out the way u plan them, Niall did extremely well this year so all credit to him. But you never know, I have been told to work on my bowling too during the winter so who knows what's possible!!!
The sport has evolved so much over the past 5 years, how do you think player's fitness levels have change since then?
I think it's the same with any sport really, but the 2020 has really made fitness more of an issue, more injuries happen especially around that time of the season.
Cricket is rapidly becoming extremely popular, how do you think the new 20/20 league will affect your career as a player?
Well, it's pretty difficult to tell right now, the good thing is 2020 has expanded cricket to people who usually had no interest in cricket, so for me, it's a little hard to know because it's still very early in my career.
What does it feel like to be at the crease in front of a televised, sell out 20/20 crowd waiting to receive a fast delivery?
It can be pretty daunting at times, because sometimes you notice the crowds more than others and the heart is beating faster than normal but you try to stay calm because you've done it a million times, so why should you be nervous? Because it's a televised game and your mates are watching and you know u going to catch it in the neck if u don't do well!
How do you intend keeping yourself busy over the dark winter months?
Sport, mainly hockey for a local side called the Northampton Lions, and a bit of boxing to keep the footwork going and the body sharp and start the gym work towards the end of October. I think I will be staying away from a cricket bat and ball till round Christmas and take some time out from cricket as I haven't had a winter away from cricket since 2004.
Finally; your thoughts for 2009?
Personally, to keep working towards the goals I've set myself and Northants have set for me and to keep improving and growing as a player. And from a team point of view, I would like to win a trophy because it's something we as Northants haven't done for a while and I haven't done!
