Jesse Ryder has been named in the BLACKCAPS squad for the ANZ One Day International Series against the West Indies starting on Boxing Day in Auckland.
The 29-year-old last played for his country in February 2012 against South Africa and has slowly returned to cricket after being viciously attacked in Christchurch in March.
Ryder’s return to domestic cricket for his new side the Otago Volts has been with much success. In four Plunket Shield matches he has scored two centuries and two half centuries.
“Jesse gives us added fire power at the top of the order and he has a proven international record,” says General Manager National Selection Bruce Edgar.
Ryder has played 39 ODI matches for New Zealand and has a strike rate of 89.72.
BLACKCAPS squad for ANZ ODI Series v West Indies:
Brendon McCullum (c) - Otago Volts
Corey Anderson - Northern Knights
Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces
Mitchell McClenaghan - Auckland Aces
Nathan McCullum - Otago Volts
Kyle Mills - Auckland Aces
Adam Milne - Central Stags
Colin Munro - Auckland Aces
James Neesham - Otago Volts
Luke Ronchi - Wellington Firebirds
Jesse Ryder - Otago Volts
Ross Taylor - Central Stags
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
Paceman Tim Southee will miss the first two matches as he is having his big toe treated on Tuesday in Auckland. He is expected to return in time for the Queenstown match on New Year’s Day.
Auckland’s Martin Guptill returns to the squad after missing the recent tours to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through injury. The 27-year-old has returned to domestic form with 185 in a Plunket Shield match last week along with two 50s in previous matches.
“We know that Martin is a quality player at this level,” says Edgar.
“You only need to look at his dominance in the One Day series in England during the year where he scored 189 not out and 103 not out. His dynamic fielding is also a valuable asset for the team.”
Wellington’s Luke Ronchi will take the wicket keeping gloves for the five match ANZ ODI Series ending in Hamilton on 8 January.
BLACKCAPS Head Coach Mike Hesson says a number of the ODI squad were in fine form in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“Nathan delivered a match-winning effort with the bat, while Colin pushed his case with a number of dominant performances. And you add to that the form Ross is in and we have a very strong line-up. It was pretty tough deciding who to leave out.”
The squad for the two ANZ Twenty20 matches, which follow the ODI series, will be named in early January
