Ryder still not in the picture for national honours
IT is the debate which keeps resurfacing.
Jesse Ryder scores a bunch of runs. We are all reminded of what an immense talent the Central Districts lefthander is and briefly forget why he is not part of the national team any more.
His discipline issues have been well documented and his commitment to the national team has been questioned as well.
But his talent has never wavered. Arguably he remains the best firstclass No 5 batsman in the country and his recent run with the bat highlights that.
In the four firstclass innings before the game against Otago in Dunedin this week, Ryder had scored 109 not out, 175, 106 not out and 89.
It is far from a blip, either.
Otago fans will recall the 33yearold was in blistering form during his stint in the South. In 14 games for Otago he scored 1228 runs at an average of 58.27, including five centuries.
His overall firstclass record is yet more evidence of what a class performer he has been. In 126 firstclass games, he has scored 8514 runs at an average of 45.28.
It is a pretty compelling record, but incredibly he has played just 18 tests, the last of which was six years ago.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen was diplomatic when asked if Ryder was still part of the selection conversation, but was also unable to suppress a broad grin.
‘‘Oh, look, the answer for me is we have picked an A team which we believe is the next best team, so I’ll leave it at that.’’
Translation — Ryder is unlikely to be considered regardless of how many runs he scores.
Ryder declined to be interviewed about the subject.