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Ryan Ninan spins a new chapter in Australian dream

Former Karnataka off-spinner Ryan Ninan is eligible to play for Australian domestic side Victoria and in the Big Bash League

By Unnikrishnan
Ryan Ninan

Bengaluru, August 28: Dressed in a black T-shirt and New York Yankees cap, Ryan Ninan slowly sipped on his black tea at a cosy Bengaluru joint. "I do let things happen naturally. I don't rush myself or worry." Words roll out rather philosophically, often the Austrlian accent jostling ahead. Even the frustratingly slow-moving Bengaluru traffic that he had to brave for our meeting did not douse his verve.

Australia has been a major halting point in the life and career of this former Karnataka cricketer's life. His first tryst with Australia was in 2014, search for a masters degree in Sports Management landed him at Deakin University, Melbourne. The journey that started with academic intentions now has earned him the Australian Permanent Residence visa, thanks to the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria. It has also given him the eligibility to play in Australian state cricket and appear in the Big Bash League.

"I wasn't searching for any such opening when I first landed in Australia," he said. The genesis of his new quest was in a routine Q&A session in his class.

"In one of the question-answer sessions in the University, my mates found about my cricketing background and the playing time in the Indian Premier League (Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab). Even the teacher was amused by the fact that I have answers for several questions and they came from a different thought process. Many of them told me I can pursue a cricketing career Down Under," Ryan told myKhel.com.

Not until he joined the Kingston Hawthorn, a first grade cricket team in Victoria, his cricketing ambitions took a definitive shape. In fact, he captained them for two seasons, opening the doors to Victorian Premier All Stars. With them he played against Stars and Renegades in the warm-up games ahead of the Big Bash 2015.

Ryan Ninan and Aaron Finch

Despite missing the 2016 season with the Australian club due to a visa validity issue, the two subesquent years saw Ryan going through some right curves in his professional life.

He played for Grappenhall Cricket Club in Cheshire county (England), headed by former England player Neil Fairbrother, as an overseas player, scoring 545 runs at 78 and capturing 34 wickets at 18. In the past, the club had seen players like legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram and current Australian captain Steve Smith associating with it.

Ryan also had a short stint with Hague Cricket Club in the Netherlands along with Jonathan Vandiar of South Africa earlier this year. Incidentally, former South African batsman and India coach Gary Kirsten has tied up with Hague to set up his cricket academy there.

Ryan Ninan batting in the Netherlands

But they were mere landing stones. He received letters of support from Tony Dodemaide, CEO of Cricket Victoria, and Ben Tippet, an accredited cricket agent and Renegades' manager, in his drive to acquire a permanent visa.

However, the breakthrough moment could have been a letter from Greg Chappell, former Australian captain and the current National Talent Manager.

"I was appointed coach of the Indian senior squad in 2005 and one of my roles was to overlook the under-22 Indian National Cricket Academy. Players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa were a part of the academy as was Ryan Ninan, a 19-year-old off-spinner. I got to watch Ryan bowl and was pleased with his control and ability...a doosra is a rarity in cricket today and is an ability that he possesses," Chappell wrote backing Ryan's claim.

"Now, fingers crossed." Ryan is now hoping to bag a BBL contract which may land him opportunities in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League etc. Perhaps, a chance to play for Victoria even.

"The best part about Australian system is that it gives opportunity if you are fit and skilled - irrespective of age and other such factors. We have several examples in Brad Hogg, Brad Hodge and Usman Khawaja. I am 31 and I believe as a spinner the best years are ahead of me. But let it happen naturally. I just want to play," he said.

"The life in Australia has also changed my perspective about fitness. I have worked hard to get to optimum level." The effort indeed showed. He even had bruises on his right shin.

"Oh nothing! I was trying single box jumping here. But I did not land properly and the box had sharp edges," he said.

Then Ryan had seen his share of sharp edges in life too. But he showed the audacity to venture out and seek something new for himself.

"Rejection and down period will come in everybody's life. I know it all too personally. It's all about not losing your hope and finding a way out."

He has found his. The confidence in Ryan's strides told it so clearly.

Story first published: Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 12:18 [IST]
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