The plot went like this: Jesse Ryder would go to the United Arab Emirates this week with New Zealand A, clobber runs off associate member teams, get into the ODI side, give Pakistan a touch up and then he'd have presented an unarguable case, on form, for World Cup selection.
That's all gone, so rip up that angle. Indeed the national selectors are one decent tear from doing that to Ryder's cup ambitions. His withdrawal yesterday from the NZ A tour for personal reasons is wretched timing, but it may also confirm a suspicion for selectors Bruce Edgar and Mike Hesson: they were right to have nagging doubts over Ryder's off-field self-management.
They have given the talented lefthander two olive branches. He rejected the first - an appearance in the North v South T20 Origin game in Hamilton on October 31 - and now he has pulled out of the second, which was a key lever in finding out whether Ryder was a good fit.
There's no second guessing whether Ryder was not genuine in pulling out yesterday. If his head is not in the right space there's no point forcing his hand.
Edgar said his decision needed respecting. But, bottom line, would you pick Ryder knowing right now he comes with risks?
