Cricket: Ryder makes New Zealand A tour

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Jesse Ryder's return to the New Zealand Cricket setup has been confirmed today.

Ryder has been named in a group of 13 New Zealand A players for a series of 50-over games against World Cup-bound associate member countries Ireland, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in the UAE next month.

Ryder has been sidelined by NZC since being dumped from the test squad early this year for late night misbehavior.

Otago wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder is the only player in the squad who has yet to play ODI cricket for New Zealand.

NZC general manager national selection Bruce Edgar said the trip, which dovetails with the New Zealand series against Pakistan in the UAE, is a chance for selectors to look at some of the players who are on the fringe of World Cup selection.

''The squad for (the World Cup) is named on January 8 so we want to ensure every player in contention is given a chance on the international stage," Edgar said.

''We need to know we've left no questions unanswered."

Ryder, 30, has been included to evaluate his progress in an international touring environment, Edgar added.

He stressed Ryder has been chosen only for NZ A - ''nothing more, nothing less".

"It's an important step for Jesse but it is only a first step and we're anxious not to get ahead of ourselves.

"Like everyone else in the squad, his future prospects will depend on his performance, on and off the field in Dubai."

Auckland veteran seamer Kyle Mills will captain the A side, which also includes returning left arm spinner Dan Vettori, and three other seamers, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne.

The NZ A squad: Kyle Mills (captain), Martin Guptill, Anton Devcich, Jesse Ryder, Dean Brownlie, Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Boorder, Dan Vettori, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Henry.