Dream time as new boy rips into Kent (From The Argus)

Dream time as new boy rips into Kent

11:00am Saturday 30th June 2012 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Michael Rippon admitted his debut was a “dream come true” after helping Sussex to a record-breaking victory over Kent at Hove last night.

The 20-year-old signed an 18-month contract this week and celebrated by taking career best figures of 4-23 as the Sharks crushed the Spitfires by 83 runs.

That was their biggest margin of victory in the competition’s history and means they are now five points clear at the top of the south group.

Rippon said: “You always want to get off to a good start and I had a few nerves beforehand but it was a dream come true.

“I’ve been training with Sussex for a month now and I got my chance so luckily it came off for me.

“It is not all about me though, it is about the team. Our aim is to get to finals day and this win keeps us on course to achieve that.”

Rippon was denied the man of the match award by an awesome display of batting from a man at the other end of his career.

Murray Goodwin smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 31 balls as Sussex amassed 212-6 before the left-arm wrist spinner helped dismiss Kent for 129 with two balls remaining.

The Sharks now travel to The Oval on Tuesday knowing that victory over Surrey will secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “It was a great debut from Rips. He will grab the headlines but it was an outstanding performance right through the team.

“We are a team playing with confidence at the moment and that is a big factor in this format. We have just got to keep our feet on the ground and continue working hard as there is still a lot of cricket to be played.”