Cricket: NZA selection a 'stepping stone' - Ryder

Jesse Ryder. Photo / Getty Images

Jesse Ryder calls his inclusion in the New Zealand A side "just a stepping stone".

The controversial batsman was this morning named in a group of 13 players for a series of 50-over games in Dubai in November, his first involvement for New Zealand since being dumped out of the national squad at the start of the year for misbehaviour.

"I'll do what I need to do to show I'm still keen to be part of it," Ryder said in Hamilton on the eve of the North v South Origin T20 game - which he refused an invitation to play - and the domestic T20 competition, which starts tomorrow.

Ryder wasn't keen to talk about what he needed to do in terms of his off-field behaviour, with an eye on World Cup selection for the tournament starting in February.

"I know what I've got to do, but that's going to be between me and New Zealand Cricket," he said.

"It's been a bit of a circus in the last few weeks. I know there's lot of eyes on me but that's part and parcel of it I guess."

Ryder said it would be easier to talk through his situation face to face with national coach Mike Hesson and New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum.

"Phone calls aren't really the best for that. I'm sure we'll see them in Dubai and go over some stuff like that," Ryder said.

He last played for New Zealand against India in five ODIs early this year before being excluded for the tests and the subsequent tour to the West Indies in the middle of the year, and the three-game ODI series against South Africa this month.

Ryder described himself as "excited" to be part of the NZ A tour and was keen to do well in the UAE.

He said he hadn't really changed his approach to cricket. He did plenty of bowling during his time with English county Essex, more than he's used to "and I really enjoyed that. It helped me stay in the game more".