Malan said as long as someone kept doing that they would fulfil the desire to play for their country.
By chipping his way into the indoor team he was keeping fit and giving himself an opportunity to play in the format's World Cup.
"It's not in the outdoor format but it's still a fantastic achievement."
Malan said there were varying opinions on indoor cricket and whether they were mutually beneficial when juxtaposed with the outdoor version.
It was easier to focus on simply playing cricket all year round.
"They are totally different games and the one thing about that is to adapt from different conditions ... and playing against international sides," he said.
Facing Australia, who have won every indoor men's crown and all eight women's bragging rights, would expose players to some intensity before the outdoor season starts in late October.
Ryder is still living in Wellington after indicating at the end of last summer that he would shift back to Napier once he sold his property in the capital city.
"Obviously he's there to focus on training with those guys going to the World Cup so we haven't really caught up with him a lot in the last week or so since the news broke," he said.
Malan said Ryder was adhering to a training regime CD had designed for him to ensure he worked on his fitness - the indoor cricket was part of that routine.
"Working hard on his indoor game is the result of him being really active so he's looking after the big picture of looking fit and 100 per cent and ready to go come the start of our season."
Malan said the plan to sell his house and relocate here wasn't as smooth as anticipated.
"I don't think he's sold his house yet but that's still the plan and he's still looking to do that which is the long-term forecast for him so as soon as all the paperwork is done he will be able to transfer here."
Just like the rest of the players, he said, Ryder and Patel, of Palmerston North, would have to fork out money to fund their trips to represent their country.
"It's obviously an honour on one side to represent your country but the other end it's still an amateur sport so it just shows you the commitment not just from Jess and Nav but all those boys to pay a hefty sum of money to represent your country."
He said Patel had represented New Zealand this time last year in a tight series against Australia which boosted his chances of World Cup selection.
England, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Sri Lanka are also in the indoor contention with hosts UAE.
The women and U21 female and male grades also compete under the indoor World Cup banner.
Malan said ideally having the Stags here honing their technical and tactical skills although who have been doing that for past two seasons had the option to go to the United Kingdom.
Ryder last represented the Black Caps in an ODI against India in Wellington in January 2014. Since then he has asked for middle and leg in the New Zealand domestic arena as well as a successful spell with Essex in the English county cricket scene from 2014 to last year.
The Michael Barry-captained New Zealand side also boast Auckland Aces teenager Finn Allen and Wellington Firebirds BJ Crook.
Former Black Caps allrounder Andre Adams is the team's bowling consultant.
The Stags started training four weeks ago at the indoor facility in Whitmore Park, Napier, for those who aren't abroad.
They will tee up in the CD golf day at the Hawke's Bay Golf Club on Friday next week.
"It's seen as an incentive for the boys to work hard all week and then partner up with sponsors for a nice little golf day."
Malan said former Black Cap seamer Doug Bracewell also was training after a lengthy lay off from a knee injury last summer.
"He's fully on rehab, probably about 55 per cent of where he wants to be in terms of to be in fitness," he said, revealing Bracewell was hitting balls in the nets and doing low-intensity run ups to bowling.
"Slowly but surely he starting to put work into getting back into the park," he said of the United Travel Taradale Cricket Club premier club cricketer from Napier.
■ New Zealand: Michael Barry (c), Finn Allen, Victor Davies, Matthew Henderson (Auckland); Kieran Butler, BJ Crook, Jesse Ryder, Ben Saunders, Phil Tunnicliffe, Nick Ward (Wellington); Navin Patel, Rob Sheary (Central Districts).
Coaches: Steve Hart, Paul Botterill.
Bowling consultant: Andre Adams.
Batting consultant: Brendon Donkers.
