Ryder a step closer to New Zealand return
New Zealand selectors have included Jessie Ryder in a warm-up match against the West Indies later this month, giving him a chance to press his case for an international recall.
New Zealand selectors have included Jessie Ryder in a warm-up match against the West Indies later this month, giving him a chance to press his case for an international recall.
The troubled batsman is on the comeback trail after suffering a serious assault in Christchurch in March and has set himself the target of breaking back into the Black Caps by early next year.
Selection manager Bruce Edgar said including Ryder in a New Zealand XI to play a three-day warm-up against a West Indies XI in Lincoln from November 27 would allow the batsman to showcase his wares.
"It's important that Jesse is back playing at this level," he said.
"It will be great to see Jesse back in a New Zealand team environment but it's simply another opportunity for him to show that he can perform consistently."
Ryder's return after the attack outside a Christchurch bar was delayed when he was suspended for six months after testing positive for a banned substance contained in weight loss pills.
The 29-year-old played his first game in seven months for Otago in a provincial championship match in late October, belting 117 off 164 balls.
The left-hander is a prodigious batting talent, averaging 40.93 from 33 Test innings, but his career has been blighted by disciplinary lapses and off-field problems as well as fitness issues.
He has been in self-imposed exile from international cricket since early 2012 when he said he needed to sort out personal issues.
But he announced recently that his time away had rekindled his love for the game and wanted to reclaim his place in the New Zealand team for the West Indies tour, which runs until mid-January 2014.
Failing that, he will target the tour by India in late January-February.
Latest
-
NewsLiam Livingstone to miss rest of Pakistan tour with knee injury
Livingstone will return to the UK on Tuesday.
-
NewsEngland roar to 142-run win in first ODI of white-ball tour of the Caribbean
Nat Sciver marked her return to cricket by scoring 90 while Danni Wyatt celebrated her 100th ODI cap with 68.
-
NewsNo fear, says England’s Paul Collingwood ahead of a thrilling final day’s action
The assistant coach says the tourists are not scared of losing the first Test to Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
-
NewsDaring declaration sets up thrilling final day of Test action in Rawalpindi
Pakistan need 263 more runs to defeat England, with eight wickets remaining.
-
NewsPakistan need 343 runs to win first Test after England declaration
The tourists scored quick runs on day four at Rawalpindi.
-
NewsEngland debutant Will Jacks claims maiden Test five-for against Pakistan
England picked up where they left off the night before, picking up the remaining three wickets in the first hour-and-half of play.
-
NewsWill Jacks: Wicket of Babar Azam could be a game-changing moment for England
Jacks finished the day with three for 132 from 32 overs.
-
NewsEngland rewarded for perseverance as late Pakistan wickets offer hope of victory
The hosts slid to 499 for seven at the end of day three in Rawalpindi, with England leading by 158 runs.
-
NewsThe Hundred would cost ‘a few billion’ – ECB chair Richard Thompson
Reports last month suggested private equity company Bridgepoint Group had made a £400million offer for 75 per cent of the tournament.
-
NewsEngland bowlers toil as Babar Azam’s century guides Pakistan to 411 at tea
England made inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up in the morning, with Jack Leach taking two wickets, but there was little on offer after lunch.