Jesse Ryder. Photo / AP
Black Caps vice captain Brendon McCullum says Jesse Ryder just needs to do what makes him happy after he turned down a New Zealand Cricket contract yesterday to work through personal issues.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO David White made the announcement last night following a player review with Ryder.
White confirmed a decision was made by Ryder, his management, the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA) and NZC to avoid an NZC contract for the upcoming season as he worked towards a number of health and fitness-related goals.
"I have been fully briefed on Jesse's player review and pleased with the outcomes,'' said White.
"All of the evidence shows that Jesse is on the right track, both on and off the field, but we're aware that there are still steps to be made.''
White said cricket remains an important part of Ryder's life, but it's his health and wellbeing that need to be the main focus.
"Jesse wants to concentrate on his personal goals without the media pressures, commercial pressures and other demands associated with being a contracted player. This decision is fully endorsed by the NZCPA and NZC.
"NZC and Cricket Wellington are committed to helping Jesse and he will continue receive support from within cricket and from his own support network.''
Ryder has recently been playing for the Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, where he scored 256 runs in 11 innings, after being dropped from the New Zealand ODI squad for breaking team protocol in March.
Ryder and teammate Doug Bracewell were both hit with a one-game ban after they went out drinking in Napier following New Zealand's second one-day international against South Africa, despite the fact they were injured.
McCullum told Radiosport that he caught-up with Ryder during the recent Indian Premier League and said was in a "really good space".
"Who knows what the game's got installed for Jesse in the next 6-12 months...he's got to do what makes him happy, get himself back to where he needs to be. His talent his unquestionable but I guess his respect within the team needs to be continued to be re-earned," McCullum said.
"You want to know every time you go into battle the guy standing next to you is equally committed as you are and I guess that's been questioned on a couple of occasions with Jess and we now know there have been a few issues that he's had to deal with and I'm talking out of school here because I've told him honestly what I think as well and I'm sure he won't mind me commenting on it.
"Jess knows he's got to earn some of that respect back from some of the guys and I think that's quite right just like anyone has to gain respect when they come into the team."
McCullum said New Zealand Cricket will surely benefit if Ryder makes a return.
"He's got a tremendous amount of talent and everyone wants him back on the park. He's just got a couple of blemishes he's got to iron out. I'm sure if he can do that then New Zealand Cricket and Jesse are both going to benefit from it.
"We all know what the pot of the gold is at the end of the rainbow which is his talent and his performances in key situations. We hope that overrides anything else and we've just got to wait and see and time will tell I guess. Six months in this game is a long time so we'll see how it unfolds and we wish him all the best."
NZCPA Chief Executive Heath Mills said the players' association is pleased with the review process and the approach Ryder is taking. "Jesse spoke positively about the things he wants to achieve and we are keen to support him.''
- APNZ/HERALD ONLINE