Ryder out, Ronchi may be in

JESSE RYDER is at long odds to appear for Wellington again this summer, although former Australian wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi might.

Scheduled to join the Firebirds next season, in a bid to realise a childhood dream of playing for New Zealand, Dannevirke-born Ronchi wasn’t expected in Wellington for a few months. But coach Jamie Siddons said yesterday there was a chance the 30-year-old will arrive much sooner.

At one stage even in time for the start of Wellington’s Plunket Shield clash with Central Districts at Karori Park, which begins on Sunday.

‘‘No, he’s not coming now,’’ Siddons said.

‘‘They [Ronchi’s Western Australian state team] are on a Mad Monday or Mad Wednesday or something. They’ve finished their season and had their prizegiving and all that and we tried to get him [for this match].

‘‘It would have been good and it’s still a chance, but not for this one I don’t think.’’

Ryder’s immediate playing future is even less certain. Siddons was adamant the exiled Black Cap would play Wellington’s previous match, against Northern Districts, only for that to have changed come game day.

‘‘He sat with us and talked with us about wanting to play and what happened that evening, I’ve got no idea. I was pretty confident he was in a good head space,’’ Siddons said.

‘‘He was disappointed with what happened and p..... off with the Black Caps and how they treated him, but looking forward to playing for us. I had a little text fest with him yesterday and he seemed in a good space again, but not willing to play this game.’’

Siddons said Ryder was ‘‘hinting’’ at making himself available for Wellington’s season-ending match, against Otago, but that the Firebirds were ‘‘almost better off leaving him alone’’ and giving someone like Michael Pollard another game.

Pollard’s likely to retain his spot against Central Districts, with Craig Cachopa dropping out to accommodate the returning Luke Woodcock.

Siddons expressed surprise that Mark Gillespie wasn’t available but was excited to see what the fast bowler did in his return to test cricket, against South Africa, in Hamilton. Scott Kuggeleijn will take Gillespie’s place.

One player in no danger of losing his place is captain Grant Elliott, even if he’s only averaging 19.71 in this competition.

‘‘We’re all disappointed with how he’s going,’’ Siddons said.

‘‘Everyone I work with I try and make them a Black Cap and I think he had a few deficiencies and he’s struggled with the changes and that’s the main reason for no big scores.’’

Siddons said taking the burden of captaincy off Elliott had also been discussed.

‘‘Every player in our top six, seven needs to make runs. That’s what they’re paid and picked for and he hasn’t delivered. But he’s worked his a... off and we’ll give him every chance.’’

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