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“It would be nice to get back in to that opening spot”

Troubled New Zealand opening batsman Jesse Ryder has announced that he is looking to make his limited overs return when the Black Caps take on the West Indies in five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.

Ryder’s comments come after he stated that he felt as if he were in the “best form that I’ve been in for a long time”.

In this year alone, Ryder has scored 454 runs at a scintillating average of 64.85 in four Plunket Shield matches for Otago.

“I feel that I’m probably in the best form that I’ve been in for a long time,” Ryder told LiveSport radio. “The confidence is there and it’s just a matter of getting my chance back in that side.

“I’m not too sure what they are thinking but they are happy with the way I’m going so hopefully I can push for that West Indies one-day team.”

“I started opening and it would be nice to get back in to that opening spot,” he added. “But first and foremost I have got to push for a place in that side. The boys are playing well and if I can keep scoring runs and push for a place then I’ll be happy.”

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum admitted that Ryder’s statistics in this year’s domestic season cannot simply continue to be ignored.

“I’m obviously a big fan of Jesse,” McCullum said. “His move to Otago was the right move at the right time and he’s doing a great job run scoring runs which is the only currency we deal in. If he finds himself back in the environment then we know he will have earned it.”