Ryder is focused on getting his international career back on track
Troubled New Zealand opening batsman Jesse Ryder has announced that he may consider making his international return during his side’s home series against England.
Ryder, who was dropped in March last year after an incident in a hotel bar during the national team’s tour of South Africa, has already spoken to coach Mike Hesson about his decision.
Ryder stated that he thought it was best if he took some time away from the game in order to sort out numerous “issues”.
The opening batsman recently signed a deal with domestic side Wellington and has not failed to impress, making 558 runs at an outstanding average of 69.75 in five Plunket Shield matches, while also amassing 508 runs in 10 innings in the HRV Cup at an unbelievable strike rate of 167.65.
“I’m definitely not ruled out for a return for England,” Ryder told New Zealand radio station LiveSport.
The 28-year-old also revealed that he was definitely interested in playing Test cricket as well.
“Definitely all forms, especially Test cricket,” Ryder added. “That’s the main goal for me to be a consistent Test player.”
Despite not revealing what problems he has dealt with over the past 10-11 months, Ryder was confident in saying that the pressure of the game will never be able to get to him again.
“I think I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’ve had a good 11 months off and worked on a lot of stuff…you’re always going to have your failures in cricket. Hopefully I can be a little bit more consistent once I get back to the international stage.”
Ryder’s return could definitely turn New Zealand’s fortunes around, especially after they were embarrassingly whitewashed 2-0 by South Africa in a recently concluded Test series.
Since Ryder made his debut in 2008, he has represented New Zealand in 18 Tests, where he has scored 1,269 runs, with a top score of 201, at an average of 40.93.
The flamboyant opener’s constant injuries and discipline problems have also had a stop-start impact on his limited overs career, whereby it has restricted him to just 39 ODIs and 20 Twenty20 Internationals.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum welcomed the news and stated that Ryder would bring the firepower the national team so desperately need right now, but added that the big man should only make his return when he feels the time is right.
“We would love to have Jesse in our team,” McCullum said. “He’s got some issues that he’s dealing with at the moment and he’s making progress. But when he’s fit and healthy and fine in his own space and performing as he is back home he’ll be a vital member of the team.”
Former captain Ross Taylor has also returned after taking some time off following a heated dispute with Hesson and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) over the decision to split the captaincy, which ultimately led to him stepping down as skipper in all formats.