Ryder on outer after Stags snub
Jesse Ryder’s domestic cricketing career on New Zealand shores looks to be over.
The 33-year-old former Black Caps batsman wasn’t offered a job with Central Districts for the coming summer, as the association makes way for players in its deep talent pool.
His omission comes as three cricket veterans have pulled stumps, with Michael Papps, Rob Nicol and Brent Arnel all calling time on their careers.
‘‘It was a very difficult decision not to offer Jesse a new contract as we have appreciated his contribution to the team for the past three summers,’’ Central Districts chief executive Pete de Wet said.
‘‘However, ultimately we have considered the balance of our squad and have elected to take a longrange view, planning for the continued success of the Central Stags.’’
Ryder was one of the most pure strikers of a cricket ball in his pomp, scoring 25 first-class centuries and 11 List A centuries. He played 18 tests, 48 ODIs and 22 T20 internationals for New Zealand in 2008-2014, although off-field issues curtailed his career at the top.
With Central Districts opting for youth and promise, handing the likes of Willie Ludick and Christian Leopard contracts, Ryder is free to explore his options elsewhere. But interest in Ryder is thin at best.
Wellington and Otago won’t be interested in bringing him back, with Ryder having spent previous stints with both associations.
Auckland have four contracts still to hand out, Canterbury have two and Northern Districts have one, but all three seem unlikely destinations for Ryder.
None of the associations had sought his transfer prior to the contracts being announced.
If Ryder is to continue his playing career, it may have to be overseas.
De Wet said Central Districts were doubling down on their policy of producing local talent.
‘‘We tend to rethink things each year when we get into this situation,’’ de Wet said.
‘‘We have guys coming through in our A programme, playing well in Hawke Cup cricket.
‘‘Jesse was naturally disappointed by the decision, but we’ve got a limited number of contracts available and it’s just the nature of these things.’’
Papps, Nicol and Arnel are calling time on their careers, leaving holes to fill at Wellington, Otago and Northern Districts respectively.
Papps’ place in Wellington has been filled by Devon Conway, while Mitchell Renwick is a fine addition for Otago as a potential replacement for Nicol.
Arnel already had his replacement established at Northern Districts, having mentored James Baker for several years, while a number of young quicks are ready to step up as a supplementary weapon.
The biggest mover, other than Jimmy Neesham leaving Otago for Wellington, is Stephen Murdoch, who leaves the Firebirds for Canterbury due to family reasons.
At a glance
AUCKLAND: Jamie Brown, Craig Cachopa, Mark Chapman, Danru Ferns, Michael Guptill-Bunce, Ben Horne, Ben Lister, Matt McEwan, Robbie O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Sean Solia, Will Somerville NORTHERN DISTRICTS: James Baker, Peter Bocock, Dean Brownlie, Henry Cooper, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert, Joe Walker
CENTRAL DISTRICTS: Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Greg Hay, Christian Leopard, Willem Ludick, Ryan McCone, Ajaz Patel, Seth Rance, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, Will Young WELLINGTON: Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lauchie Johns, Iain McPeake, Jimmy Neesham, Ollie Newton, Malcolm Nofal, Jeetan Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Logan van Beek, Luke Woodcock, Peter Younghusband.
CANTERBURY: Chad Bowes, Blake Coburn, Leo Carter, Andrew Ellis, Cameron Fletcher, Andrew Hazeldine, Kyle Jamieson, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie, Stephen Murdoch, Ed Nuttall, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Theo van Woerkom OTAGO: Matt Bacon, Warren Barnes, Neil Broom, Mark Craig, Jacob Duffy, Josh Finnie, Shawn Hicks, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rae, Mitch Renwick, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith, Brad Wilson