Cricket: McMillan 'should know better'

A few fat rolls might have cost Craig McMillan a spot in the Black Caps provisional squad of 30 for the Champions Trophy but Jesse Ryder barely escaped a similar selection liposuction.

The New Zealand selectors as respective team managers were disappointed with the two players' physical condition when they turned up for the twin-teamed development tour of Australia last month.

While McMillan's excess weight saw him dropped from the 30-man provisional squad for the Champions Trophy in October, Ryder made the cut. However, New Zealand coach John Bracewell confirmed to the Herald on Sunday that he was disappointed in Ryder's fitness.

"That's moderately fair but it's a completely separate issue from Craig," Bracewell said. "Jesse's 20 [he's 22] and has only just become involved in our A programme. He scored consistently through this series, whereas Craig had one score.

"I wouldn't compare the two. They're treated separately. Craig's a 28-year-old [29] who's been on contract for near-on eight years and turned up for a tournament unfit.

"He should know better."

Speaking last week from England, McMillan said to be not ranked in the country's top 30 players was "a bit of a joke".

Ryder has now been put on a fitness programme and his selection in the extended squad will probably prove academic as he is unlikely to make the 14-man squad for the one-day tournament in India.

"We're working with Jesse to try to get him fit and into some sort of competition condition. At [22] he doesn't know better yet," said Bracewell.

"Craig does."

Ryder has been compared to Central Districts' boom middle order batsman Ross Taylor, who made his New Zealand debut last summer. Some believe Ryder has even more talent and his left-handedness would be a significant advantage in a New Zealand middle order stacked with right-handers.

However, Ryder - who left Central Districts under a cloud following a late-night incident - has yet to convince selectors he has the required desire to play at the highest level.

There is no question Shane Bond has the desire to play at the top level, the issue has been whether the body is willing.

Bracewell said Bond began his bowling programme two days ago.

"He came through it very well. Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills have started their bowling programmes. Those guys look like they'll be ready for tournament selection," Bracewell said.

"We're still not progressing as quickly as we'd like with Michael Mason but as far as those guys go, we're mostly on target."