Cricket: Ryder faced misconduct charge

It had been hoped that Jesse Ryder might have been fit in time to play a part in the series against Pakistan beginning next week. Photo / Getty Images

Jesse Ryder faced a misconduct charge on his return from South Africa, the latest chapter in a chequered two-year international career.

The issue came to a head during the Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka, when Ryder aggravated an adductor strain that had troubled him since the Indian Premier League this year.

Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, revealed to the Herald last night that the injury would keep him out of cricket until mid-December.

Until recently it was hoped Ryder might have been fit in time to play a part in the series against Pakistan beginning next week.

The misconduct charge stemmed from abuse levelled at manager Dave Currie in the dressing rooms during the Sri Lanka match.

The tirade came after Currie gave Ryder a dressing-down for smashing a chair as he left the ground after being dismissed for 74 off 58 balls, an act of frustration that was caught by the television cameras.

Currie was unimpressed by Ryder's unprofessional behaviour and made his feelings clear to New Zealand Cricket.

Ryder attended a misconduct hearing on October 22, the day of the NZC awards dinner, where he picked up the Redpath Cup as the country's leading first-class batsman.

He was represented at the hearing by Players' Association manager Heath Mills, who would not reveal the content of the hearing or the punishment.

Ryder's remorse over his actions led to the charge being downgraded from serious misconduct, which can result in the termination of his contract.

Klee said that issue was "done and dusted" with Ryder having made his peace with Currie.

However, the issue with Ryder's fitness is ongoing.

The nub of the issue is a belief that Ryder has in the past returned to the national side prematurely, either when not completely over his injuries or out of condition.

It is understood that there was disappointment over Ryder's physical condition when he turned up to the world Twenty20 championship in England in June, during which he picked up a stomach infection and missed all but one game. After that he worked hard and was in much better shape when the team left for Sri Lanka in August.

Ryder's current injury relates back to the IPL in South Africa in April, when he missed several games for his Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise.

The selectors have been told to proceed with caution over the 25-year-old lefthander, until he has proved he is fit enough to handle the rigours of international cricket.

NZC general manager of cricket Geoff Allott said Ryder was not being singled out.

"The decision from a selectorial point of view isn't special to Jesse.

"It's very much policy now that all players, regardless of who it is, will undergo fitness tests prior to selection because we will not be selecting players who are deemed not fit for international cricket."

Klee said Ryder was taking it on himself to improve.

"Jesse knows that fitness is a challenge," Klee told the Herald. "He's been working hard in the gym.

"He's there at 7am every morning with [former Wellington fast bowler and strength and conditioning specialist] Stephen Hotter. He's doing pilates twice a week and making changes to his diet that he needs to."

Klee added that Ryder's weight was not an issue. "Some people are just built like that.

"I don't think he's ever going to be 85kg and cut like Brendon McCullum, but he knows he needs to improve his fitness and flexibility."

Mills said that he believed Ryder had been making good progress in the past year, "but he's still having the odd hiccup but they are [becoming] fewer and farther between".

"We've got to keep persevering and working hard with him to help him get to the level he needs to. Jesse's still learning, but he's really starting to understand what is required of a professional athlete at the highest level."