Cricket: My fitness is fine says Ryder

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Black Caps batsman Jesse Ryder says he's the fittest he has ever been and wouldn't be any better if he spent more time in the gym.

Ryder, who has struggled with injuries during the season, was back to his best on Saturday in the sixth ODI against Pakistan smashing 107 runs from 93 balls.

In the last 12 months the Black Caps opener has had surgery on his abdominal wall and has suffered an inflamed shoulder, a calf strain, an injured elbow and a finger injury.

Talking to Radiosport's Tony Veitch, Ryder said he may not look it but he's the fittest he as ever been.

"When I'm not playing I'm doing at least a 20 minute run. It's just building up, building up. It's not going to happen overnight but if I keep doing what I'm doing at the moment it's going to help me for the future.

"I'm probably fitter than I've ever been. To be fair it might not look it but I feel it. If I keep working hard with our trainer it's going to show in the next few months."

When asked by Veitch whether he would be a better batsman if he was a fitness fanatic Ryder said: "I don't think I would be to be fair".

Ryder also hit back at critics following remarks he made on Twitter after being run out during a domestic match for Wellington.

"That sort of angered me a bit because I was going on this way that it was a waste of time me being there because I didn't do anything all day."

"I'm always going to want to try and prove everyone wrong, the people that talked badly of me and stuff like that. All I want is to be consistent for myself and the team and if I am hopefully we're doing well in the process."

"I've heard it all before these days. I'm pretty much used to it now.
There is times when I do get pretty peeved off by some of it, especially the stuff that is just hearsay and made up most of the time. Usually I just let it slide. It doesn't faze me much."

The Black Caps left for India yesterday and play their opening match against Kenya on February 20.

- Herald online