Cricket: Ryder sheds bad boy image to become a hero in Essex

Jesse Ryder, batting in his unbeaten 120 against Worcestershire, has gained hero status at Essex. Photo / Getty Images

He's on the outer with New Zealand Cricket, but very much flavour of the moment in the English county game.

Jesse Ryder's outstanding form with Essex has earned him a contract for the next two years, and he's had high praise for his contribution to the county, which is in the frame for a promotion to the first division of the championship, as it draws to an end.

Two games ago, Ryder opened the bowling against lowly Leicestershire, and took match figures of eight for 90 off 26 overs.

In the current match, he took five for 24 to roll Worcestershire for 84, then helped himself to a run-a-ball unbeaten 120 to put Essex in charge going into the penultimate day.

When it was announced during yesterday's lunch break that the gifted lefthander was returning for two more seasons - as well as receiving his county cap - the news was greeted rapturously.

"He's been great. He's a super lad and one of the most naturally gifted cricketers I've ever worked with," coach Paul Grayson said.

In first-class games, Ryder has hit 630 runs at 37 and taken 44 wickets at 17, third behind veteran Graeme Napier, who has played T20 cricket for Wellington and Central Districts, and former England spinner Monty Panesar.

In List A one-day games, Ryder hit 369 runs at 92.25, and a 122.59 strike rate, from just six innings.

"He came with a bit of baggage, a bit of history and some people have said to me, 'you've done well, you've tamed the beast'", Grayson said. "But he's been brilliant, he loves playing cricket, loves county cricket, the format of playing, training, travelling.

"Back in New Zealand there's quite a lot of time between games so he may get some distractions, but he's enjoyed the routine of county cricket."

Next up for Ryder is Otago, and the Melbourne Renegades in Australia's Big Bash League, for which he has received a clearance from Otago.

But New Zealand? At the World Cup? Unlikely. When he was removed from the squad last summer, it was because of an issue of trust as much as misbehaviour.

The former had been lost amid the latter and Ryder has a long road to win that back. And with the World Cup only four and a half months away, time is running out.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson made a pointed observation recently in relation to Ryder's and Doug Bracewell's dropping from the senior group after late-night indiscretions. Bracewell returned on New Zealand A's recent tour of Britain. Both were told what was required to get them back into the frame.

"One player has run with it and made significant changes. The other less so," Hesson said. No prizes for guessing who's who.

Still, those who are firmly in the Ryder camp, and even those outside, should welcome the news from the other side of the world.

Ryder seems to have found some contentment and satisfaction in his cricket.

It may not be where New Zealand fans had hoped it would be, but good for him.