Or more accurately, Rips is off.
Otago left arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon announced yesterday he would not be returning for the Volts this summer.
The South African-born 31-year-old is playing cricket in the US and could not be reached for comment yesterday, but the Otago Daily Times understands he is heading to Canterbury.
The player nicknamed Ripper, Rippy or Rips is the second Volts bowler to make the decision to head north this winter.
Pace bowler Michael Rae announced earlier this month he would not be returning for the Volts this season.
Rae has relocated to Christchurch and will try his luck with Canterbury.
Rippon joined the Volts as a replacement player in January 2017. He was contracted the following season and quickly established himself as a regular starter.
The former Dutch international set about qualifying to play for the Black Caps and achieved his dream when he represented his adopted country in a T20 against Scotland in Edinburgh in July.
In a statement to his fellow team-mates, Rippon said: "It has been an absolute honour to represent this province for the past seven seasons and know that I will always consider myself part of the Otago family".
Otago Cricket Association general manager of performance Steve Martin said Rippon’s departure was a big loss.
"Rippy has given outstanding service to the Volts during his time in Otago," Martin said.
"He has been an integral member of the team. We are extremely grateful for all of his efforts and for his commitment to Otago Cricket over the past seven seasons."
Rippon’s list A record for Otago makes for impressive reading. In 55 games for the province he scored 1435 runs at average of 37.76, and took 71 wickets at 33.94.
His first-class record stacks up nicely as well. In 40 games he scored 1760 runs at 28.38, including one century, and took 105 wickets at 34.96, including three five wicket bags.
As an all-rounder, Rippon would have to rank alongside the likes of Gren Alabaster, Nathan McCullum and Sam Wells as the most successful in the province.
With Rippon’s departure, left-armer Ben Lockrose will lead the spin attack, with Glenn Phillips and Dean Foxcroft chipping in with some offies.
