Cricket: Cup chances for Ryder diminishing fast after A tour withdrawal

Jesse Ryder missed the Otago Volts' game on Sunday. Photo / NZME.

Jesse Ryder's withdrawal from the New Zealand A tour to the United Arab Emirates has significantly reduced his World Cup prospects.

The gifted but erratic lefthander pulled the pin on what amounted to a last chance to press his Cup claims yesterday, citing personal reasons - understood to be relationship issues - after missing a flight from Dunedin to Christchurch for a domestic T20 game at the weekend.

New Zealand Cricket's general manager national selection Bruce Edgar would not rub Ryder's name out of calculations altogether yesterday, but admitted the player's decision had made it more difficult for the national selectors - Edgar and national coach Mike Hesson - to pick the troubled batsman.

"The waters have been muddied somewhat," Edgar said of Ryder's possible Cup selection. "We respect his decision, but to be honest from a selection perspective the whole point of the A tour was to get more information about Jessie in the team environment and unfortunately we're not going to see the entire picture."

Ryder's ability to handle himself off the field, after a career blighted by several drink-related indiscretions in the past few years, is an element in whether the selectors will pick him for the World Cup.

Ryder, who last played for New Zealand on January 31, has a contract with the Melbourne Renegades in Australia's Big Bash League, which starts on December 18. He is expected to play four Ford Trophy 50-over games from late December for Otago. That amounts to his only worthwhile 50-over lead-up before the Cup squad is named on January 8.

Otago Cricket chief executive Ross Dykes said yesterday that it was hoped Ryder, 30, would be available for Otago's next Georgie Pie T20 game against Canterbury in Dunedin on Thursday.

Dykes confirmed Ryder's teammates wanted him to join them in Christchurch on a later flight in time for Sunday's game.

"He was really keen to get up there and play, but wasn't sure whether he could do himself and the team justice."

In an ironic twist, Otago had their first win for the competition, by one run, over Canterbury without Ryder.

Edgar said they might not replace Ryder in the group flying to Dubai tomorrow , because they had sufficient cover from the test squad now playing Pakistan there.

Ryder's run

February 11
New Zealand Cricket dump Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell from the test squad after a late-night drinking incident hours before the start of the first test against India at Eden Park.

October 31
Ryder is named in New Zealand A squad for the United Arab Emirates, effectively a chance to present his credentials for World Cup selection.

Saturday
Ryder misses his flight north from Dunedin for Otago's T20 game against Canterbury.

Yesterday
Ryder withdraws from the NZ A squad, citing personal reasons.

Tomorrow
The NZ A side departs for Dubai for four 50-over games against Ireland (2), Afghanistan and the UAE, all World Cup-bound teams.

Tony Veitch discusses Jesse Ryder's international future on The Vent. tinyurl.com/otqy334