Cricket: Enigmatic Ryder sweating his way back

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Those in cricketing circles keep hearing these conundrums: Jesse Ryder is as fit as he has ever been, but he's not fit enough for the tour to Sri Lanka. He is one of our best-rewarded players, but he's lost $24,000 of his cricketing income. How so?

Ryder is sweating his way back and has attained good aerobic fitness after missing the entire international home summer due to surgery on his abdominal wall. He played in the Twenty20 World Cup but suffered a minor elbow strain which has kept him out until now.

The right elbow strain allows him to throw at only 20 to 30 per cent of capacity, meaning he'd be a passenger in the field even if his batting and bowling talents could be utilised.

Black Caps performance director Roger Mortimer, who monitors the players' Individual Performance Plans, says the decision to omit Ryder was made out of prudence ahead of the World Cup on the subcontinent in February and March.

"It is frustrating because Jesse has improved his fitness and he knows he's got to keep working on it while we're away in Sri Lanka."

Ryder has 11 tests, 21 one-day and 14 Twenty20 internationals to his credit since his debut in February 2008.

Significantly, Ryder's cumulative inaction has dropped him down the recent player contracts list by what is understood to be up to four spots - although still in the top 10. That means, under the present system, he would have lost up to $24,000 of income for the year.

He received no match payments over the summer either and lost his IPL contract from 2009.

Fairly or not, the perception lurks that Ryder enjoys the booze too much after his infamous antics smashing a window with his hand in the early hours of February 24, 2008, while celebrating a series win over England in Christchurch.

Mortimer says Ryder is under no more supervision than any of his colleagues when he's training during the off-season in Wellington, despite his much-publicised alcohol problems. The general consensus is he should be treated as an adult, so there is no need to interfere.

There is an underlying pressure that New Zealand cannot afford to let a player of such prodigious talent slip through the cordon. Many fear forcing him to take notice of his responsibilities too earnestly may push him away.

Most Black Caps are in awe of his abilities when he's in full fettle, notably his fellow opening batsman in the shorter forms of the game, Brendon McCullum. When asked if Ryder is misunderstood, McCullum pauses and sighs.

"Jesse is a phenomenal talent; I've got a real soft spot for him. We go out and set the tone of the New Zealand performance, playing a brand of cricket that excites both of us.

"I play better when Jesse is with me at the top of the order, so I would love to see him stay disciplined and driven on the park. We've seen certain things get in the way at times but it's not easy growing up in an environment where everyone is watching you. I'm sure we'll see more of his best at some point. At least it's [the opportunity] still in his hands for now."

Ryder's next chance of a recall is for the Bangladesh tour in September, followed by a full tour of India in November-December.