One of the most talented players to ever wear a black cap is bringing his services to next year’s T20 Black Clash - with Jesse Ryder joining Team Cricket.
Ryder, 41, joins an already star-studded line-up for Team Cricket as they prepare for their annual match-up with Team Rugby, in Tauranga on January 17.
The left-hander represented New Zealand 82 times across three formats, with three centuries apiece in tests and one-day internationals.
In January 2014, he slammed what was at the time the sixth-fastest century in ODI history - off just 46 balls - in a 159-run victory over the West Indies.
And while that innings was largely overshadowed by Corey Anderson’s 36-ball ton at the other end, Ryder’s destructive abilities at the top of the order put fear into any bowling line-up.
On top of that, Ryder also appeared in multiple franchise T20 leagues, from the Indian Premier League, England’s Vitality Blast, and the Caribbean Premier League.
But having hung up his boots as a professional, Ryder is relishing the chance to line up alongside his former teammates - including ex-Black Caps Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Hamish Marshall, Nathan McCullum and Neil Wagner - with more names still to be confirmed.
“I was keen as to get involved,” Ryder told the Herald. “I haven’t actually seen too much of it, just bits and pieces.
“But it’s definitely something I’m keen to get involved with. I haven’t seen those guys for a while, so it’ll be good to catch up with them.
“The likes of Southee and Wagner are playing as well, so we’ve got a decent bowling attack.”
Not to be outdone, though, Team Rugby also have some star names up their sleeve.
Led by former All Blacks skipper Kieran Read, Team Rugby have confirmed Australian great Mike Hussey as their wildcard, following on from his younger brother David, who played in the inaugural Black Clash in 2019.
Current All Black Ruben Love has also committed, along with current Chiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier - who captained New Zealand at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2018.
Ryder, though, makes no bones about who Team Cricket will be targeting.
“Mike Hussey is the main one, he’ll be the key to get out early, I reckon,” he said. “Team Rugby is full of good players, a lot of them played age-group stuff growing up.
“It should be a good day.”
Even after professionally finishing his career in 2018, Ryder has kept up his playing fitness somewhat.
Earlier this year, he hit a man-of-the-match knock of 130 runs off 57 balls to win the Intercontinental Legends Championship in India at the top of the order for the Trans Titans against the Indian Warriors.
Despite that, though, Ryder says he doesn’t know where he’s going to bat for Team Cricket.
“I wouldn’t have a clue, hopefully No 11,” he joked. “I’ll be pretty dusty, I reckon.”
TEAM CRICKET
Dan Vettori (captain), Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Hamish Marshall , Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, Jesse Ryder
TEAM RUGBY
Kieran Read (captain), Michael Hussey, Ruben Love, Joey Wheeler, Andy Ellis, Jason Spice, Kaylum Boshier
Tickets for the T20 Black Clash are available at www.blackclash.co.nz
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.