20 Jul 2013

Ryder keen to return to Black Caps

12:23 pm on 20 July 2013

The cricketer Jesse Ryder has met with New Zealand coach Mike Hesson to discuss rejoining the national team following more than 12 months of self-imposed exile.

The burly left-hander, who took a break from the game in February 2012 to deal with alcohol issues, has signed to play domestic cricket for Otago next season after playing for Wellington for 10 years.

Ryder's manager Aaron Klee says he's hoping the move south will reinvigorate Ryder's international career.

Klee says the 28-year-old has been working hard on his fitness, but is still suffering effects from a head injury sustained during an assault outside a Christchurch bar in March.

He says the assault has motivated Ryder to get back on the horse and to represent his country again.

The Otago coach Vaughan Johnson says his team's environment will help Ryder get back to his best so that New Zealand cricket fans can see him back in the black shirt before too long.

The aggressive batsman has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201.

In 39 one-day internationals, Ryder has scored 1,100 runs at 34.37.