KEY POINTS:
Jesse Ryder says he has shed weight and grown up.
Having slashed an estimated 10kg from his frame and smoothed the rough edges which stalled his development, the Wellington left-handed batsman today had his reward with his promotion to the New Zealand cricket team.
Ryder, whose uncomplicated approach at the crease has at last taken the fancy of the national selectors, has been named to play two Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals against England starting next week.
The 23-year-old's elevation comes during a summer in which he has struggled to produce his best, an irony which isn't lost on the powerful strokemaker.
He is averaging just 21 from five innings in the domestic State Shield one-day competition, but has started to spark in the Twenty20 slogfest, a rapid fire 66 off just 27 balls against Auckland on Monday a timely reminder of his abilities to bludgeon an attack.
"It's quite funny to get a callup this season considering I haven't really performed," said Ryder, who has been earmarked for an opening gig alongside Brendon McCullum, a role he is unaccustomed to.
He has mostly featured in the middle order for Wellington and before them Central Districts, earning a first-class average of 42.78, including five centuries and 13 50s.
His one-day statistics are less impressive - he averages a modest 24.93 - but his ability to dismantle attacks remains a selling point, allied with his change of mindset.
Ryder has long been considered a potential international but his claims have gone unrewarded, largely due to serious attitudinal and disciplinary concerns.
Having worked hard in the off-season to tone his ample frame, Ryder thinks he has addressed those issues, a point acknowledged by selection panel convener Sir Richard Hadlee.
"We think he's made tremendous progress over the last 12 months. There have been issues but we see him as an exciting talent," Hadlee said.
"His form has been a bit patchy this season but he's done it at A team level, he's done it for Wellington. He's an explosive batsman at the top of the order.
"If he comes off I think New Zealand cricket will see something really exciting. He's lost weight. We've been impressed with his attitude, his general work ethic has improved."
Ryder puts his progress off the field down to a growing maturity.
"Off the field I have had a few problems in the past but this year has been great.
"You have to grow up sooner or later if you want to make the big time. It's taken me a little longer than I had hoped."
He has not been particularly impressed with his run production this summer and would like nothing more than to move up a gear or two against the English.
"I've had a few jaffas but mostly I think it's been a patience thing. I've played a few too many rash shots but I think I've started to sort that out.
"In the last couple of games I've stuck to my gameplan and it's been going well for me."
- NZPA
