Jesse Ryder is happy back playing cricket, the drunken dramas of last February a fading memory.
Ryder's blazing introduction to international cricket against England was marred by a serious self-inflicted injury to his right hand when it took the short cut through a closed toilet window in theearly hours of February 24.
The burly lefthander's drinking problems were thrust into the spotlight. He wore a pile of criticism of his behaviour as he sought to recover full use of his hand and try to resume his international career. Today, he leads New Zealand's Emerging Players in the final of their quadrangular tournament in Brisbane against Australia's Institute of Sport as he takes his first steps back into competitive cricket.
Ryder is happy with progress, on and off the field.
"I'm definitely looking forward now," the 23-year-old said yesterday. "I've had a lot of support round me and we've worked through quite a few issues. Now it all seems to be going well."
Although his hand has fully recovered, Ryder said he still gets the occasional pain as he strikes the ball but accepts that's a price he has to pay for his indiscretion in Christchurch.
Ryder's first innings since the final ODI against England at Christchurch on February 23 produced a century in a warmup game in Brisbane. But the runs have dried up during the quadrangular series, which also involved teams from India and South Africa.
New Zealand go into the final on the back of three successive wins, including a five-wicket win over Australia.
"Everything's going really well," Ryder said. "Everyone's standing up and it's good to go into the final at the top of the table."
