Cricket: Ryder exits with injury on eve of test

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Steven McNicholl

New Zealand are down to a bare bones 13 for their one-off test against Zimbabwe, starting in Bulawayo tomorrow night.

Having lost seamer Kyle Mills to a groin injury last week, middle-order batsman Jesse Ryder is heading home after suffering a right calf strain.

The lefthander and occasional medium pacer pulled up after delivering just three balls during New Zealand's two-day warmup game against Zimbabwe yesterday. A scan confirmed the injury.

Team manager Mike Sandle said Ryder would undergo a period of rehabilitation upon returning to New Zealand.

The first of two tests against Australia starts in Brisbane on December 1 and Sandle said New Zealand's medical team were confident Ryder would be fit again in time for that assignment.

Ryder has a chequered fitness history since making his international debut against England in early 2008, and he also missed one of the three ODI internationals on the current tour with a stomach problem.

The most likely candidates to carry the drinks and fill the 12th and 13th man roles for the test would appear to be spare wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling, and either offspinner Jeetan Patel or one of the four fast-medium bowlers, probably either Graeme Aldridge or Doug Bracewell.

New Zealand's two-day tour match with Zimbabwe A, played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, finished in a draw yesterday.

The Kiwis won the toss and chose to bat in a game where both sides used up to 14 men.

Kane Williamson followed on from his 69-ball century in the final one-day international as he crafted an unbeaten 86 in a knock that included 13 fours and two sixes.

Brendon McCullum (63) and Ross Taylor (51) also made half-centuries as New Zealand posted 344-8 from their allotted 90 overs in the first innings.

Eight bowlers were given a go with the ball by Black Caps' skipper Taylor as the Kiwis bowled Zimbabwe A out for 241 in 70.5 overs.

Paceman Chris Martin steamed in for 12.5 overs and picked up three wickets, while spinner Daniel Vettori bagged three for 35 from 18.3 overs. Bracewell, Aldridge and part-timer Dean Brownlie shared the other scalps as Malcolm Waller (66) was the only Zimbabwean to pass 50. New Zealand then had 12 overs to bat before the end of the game and Vettori opened with Watling and the pair put on 49, with Vettori hitting a rapid 32.

Additional reporting APNZ