Rayner set for Zimbabwe stint

Ollie Rayner will diversify his first-class experience in Zimbabwe's Twenty20 competition - with Mid-West Rhinos

Sussex off-spinner Ollie Rayner will take part in Zimbabwe’s domestic Twenty20 competition with Mid-West Rhinos to gain limited-overs experience.

The 24-year-old only played competitive cricket in the LV= County Championship last year, taking 20 wickets in 10 appearances.

Rayner has travelled to Zimbabwe for the eight-day competition, which begins on Friday. The Rhinos have five scheduled games ahead of a potential place in the final.

Rayner said: “It’s a great opportunity for me and this is a part of my game that I really want to develop.

“Branching out into all forms of cricket is where I want to go and I think that I have the potential to make a name for myself in Twenty20 cricket.

“It’s a chance that I want to take up and hopefully I’ll come back and hit the season running.”

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson added: “We are eager to encourage this opportunity for Ollie, as we’ve asked him to work on all aspects of his game.

“He’s now got an early opportunity to put the work that he has done into match situations. I’m sure this will benefit him.”