This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Qrsdogg (talk | contribs) at 02:17, 23 July 2011 (Undid revision 440864586 by 90.210.14.115 (talk)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 02:17, 23 July 2011 by Qrsdogg (talk | contribs) (Undid revision 440864586 by 90.210.14.115 (talk))(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Rayner John Blitz, born at Watford, Hertfordshire on 25 March 1968, was a cricketer who played five first-class matches and one List A match for Somerset in 1986.
A diminutive wicketkeeper and right-handed batsman who had played for Essex's second eleven in 1985, Blitz was signed to cover for an injury to Trevor Gard, Somerset's regular wicketkeeper. He took eight catches in his five games, and played for Somerset's second eleven across the summer. But the county was looking for a wicketkeeper who could make reliable runs as the long-term successor to Gard, and signed Neil Burns from Essex for the 1987 season. Blitz was released by Somerset at the end of the 1986 season.
Blitz did not play first-class cricket again, though he played for Derbyshire's second eleven and for Dorset in the Minor Counties.
Blitz also was a prominent and popular member of the Southerners Sports Club (Bangkok) 50 over Cricket Team from the 1998/1999 season until the early 2000s, playing in the Thailand Cricket League (TCL). He played in Thailand during the English winter.
The story goes that Blitz was turned down without a chance to practice with the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) team who said that he should "try out with a team like Southerners". For the previous two seasons Southerners had finished last in the TCL 50 over league.
Although modest and reluctant to speak about his first-class experience, it was clear to his team mates that Rayner had played at the highest level. Blessed with a sound defence and attacking front foot strokeplay, he impressed early on with a match winning innings of 79 against Bangkok British Club at the Dusit Resort ground in Hua Hin.
Blitz continued on in outstanding form that season, helping the Southerners sweep the TCL title undefeated in 1998/1999 in an amazing last to first triumph.
Although a specialist wicketkeeper, Blitz never kept wickets during his time with the Southerners; many captains preferring to utilise his accurate slow medium bowling.
He was also a reliable fieldsman capable of some outstanding outfield catching, two efforts at the RBSC being most memorable.
He was nicknamed "Danger" or "The International Man of Mystery" by his Southerners team mates after the Mike Myers' character Austin "Danger" Powers.
References
- Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 1987 edition
- CricketArchive.com