Controversial batsman Ryder gets World Cup lifeline
REUTERS: Aggressive top-order batsman Jesse Ryder was passionate about rekindling his international career after he was thrown a World Cup lifeline by being named in a New Zealand ‘A’ team for one-day matches in the United Arab Emirates next month.
The 30-year-old Ryder has been kept out of the national side after he broke team protocols by drinking the night before a test against India in February, the latest in a long line of off-field disciplinary issues for the burly left hander.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said last week Ryder needed to show form on the field and a willingness to play by the team’s rules off it before being considered for the top team again, something Ryder said he was willing to do.
“The passion’s still there to make the team,” Ryder told reporters in Hamilton on Friday. “If I didn’t I wouldn’t be in the ‘A’ team so it’s definitely something I want.
“It’s just a stepping stone isn’t it? Hopefully it’s a good one for me.
“I’ll go over there and just do what I need to do to show that I’m still keen to be a part of it.
“It’s just about slowly getting back involved and stuff like that – and obviously this is the first stepping stone towards it.”
Ryder, who had a successful limited overs county season in England earlier this year, said his fitness was not up to the standard he had hoped but that was something else he would work on before the team leaves for Dubai.
While Ryder’s selection had indicated he was still in contention for coach Mike Hesson’s World Cup squad, New Zealand chairman of selectors Bruce Edgar reiterated what McCullum had said earlier.
“I’d remind people that, at this point, Jesse has been selected for NZ ‘A’, nothing more; nothing less,” Edgar said in a statement.
“It’s an important step for Jesse but it is only a first step and we’re anxious not to get ahead of ourselves.
“Like everyone else in the squad, his future prospects will depend on his performance, on and off the field, in Dubai.”
Ryder’s inclusion in the squad, however, indicated Hesson is concerned at the make-up of his top order ahead of the World Cup with regular opener Martin Guptill struggling against the pace of South Africa’s bowlers in a one-day series last week.
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham was promoted to open with Guptill in what was seen as a trial of his temperament at the top of the order and he displayed some positive indicators but also struggled against the Proteas.
Edgar said the ‘A’ tour was the opportunity for several fringe World Cup players to press their claims for the final squad.
“The squad for CWC 2015 is named on 8 January, so we want to ensure every player in contention is given a chance on the international stage,” Edgar added.
“We need to know we’ve left no questions unanswered.”
The New Zealand ‘A’ team will play World Cup teams Ireland, the UAE and Afghanistan in four one-day matches in Dubai that will dovetail with the limited overs series the top side is playing against Pakistan in the Middle East.
New Zealand face Pakistan in three tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day matches on their 3 November to 20 December tour with matches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
The World Cup runs from 14 February to 29 March in New Zealand and Australia.
