Andrew Alderson: Does Ryder threaten team spirit?

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Otago Daily Times.

The expected naming of Jesse Ryder in the New Zealand 'A' squad to play against World Cup qualifiers the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Ireland (twice) from November 23 to December 1 will be a chance for him to demonstrate form off the field as much as on it.

Ryder's performances for Otago, last summer, and English county Essex, this winter, have been excellent, particularly with the resurgence in his bowling. That form shows little sign of abating, judging by his initial outings for Otago this season.

However, he is a recidivist offender for breaking team protocol and the wave of populism surrounding his potential return to international cricket must be tempered.

Even if Ryder is in form, how much is team spirit threatened by his propensity to break rank? How much genuine respect is left for him in the dressing room? Could he play through the Australian Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades which, in mid-to-late January, runs concurrently with New Zealand's final preparations for the World Cup against Sri Lanka?

The New Zealand 'A' tour is a useful forum to give Ryder the opportunity to return but he'd need to prove his credentials as a team player, willing to endure the discipline required for the 'A' side to succeed, rather than simply producing runs or wickets. Sure, Ryder apologists argue he's a match-winner - and he is - but the likes of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tim Southee would supersede him among the New Zealand incumbents for such an honour before team men cushion the areas around those pedestals.

New Zealand Cricket could still use any selection as a public relations exercise to test Ryder's commitment. He's not clocking up official ODIs and, if his behaviour deterioriates, they have a perfect exhibit A as to why he's unsuitable for further acknowledgement.

The conundrum has been exacerbated with a lack of convincing form from Martin Guptill, Jimmy Neesham and Dean Brownlie at the top of the order against South Africa.

The flipside is that there are 14 further ODIs before the World Cup for New Zealand to persevere with alternative opening options, one of which could be using the promising Tom Latham. It is hard to imagine coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum putting their World Cup campaign in jeopardy with a long shot of picking Ryder who has let them down before.

Sensibly, Hesson has not shut down the prospect of Ryder's return. At this stage the 30-year-old's best chance appears to be as part of the 30-man World Cup squad that must be sent to the International Cricket Council by December 7. That would make him available, if they were desperate. New Zealand's final 15-man squad will be named on January 8.