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Ryder recalled to one-day squad

Jesse Ryder has been recalled to New Zealand colours for the first time since February 2012 as part of a 13-man squad for the one-day series against West Indies

Andrew McGlashan
Andrew McGlashan
19-Dec-2013
Jesse Ryder was dismissed in the second over for 1, Canterbury v Otago, HRV Cup, Christchurch, November 2, 2013

Jesse Ryder makes his New Zealand return after 22 months out  •  Getty Images

Jesse Ryder has been recalled to New Zealand colours for the first time since February 2012 as part of a 13-man squad for the one-day series against West Indies.
Elsewhere in the squad, Martin Guptill has returned from injury and will partner Ryder at the top of the order, meaning that Tom Latham misses out. Tim Southee will miss the first two matches of the series to have a toe problem dealt with, but is expected to return for the third ODI in Queenstown.
Ryder has not played at international level after being dropped for disciplinary issues during the one-day series against South Africa. He has since had to serve a six-month suspension for taking banned stimulants, a period which coincided with his recovery from the serious assault he suffered in Christchurch earlier this year.
Bruce Edgar, the national selector, said it was a credit to his perseverance that he has responded to so many setbacks. "He's in great form and he's in a great space. Go back a number of months ago and it could have been the end of his career. He's come back with a vengeance and wants to play well and play for the Blackcaps, and that's what we want."
Since returning to domestic cricket for Otago, following a move away from Wellington, he has scored 454 runs at 64.85 in four Plunket Shield matches. There has been understandable caution about Ryder's return to the New Zealand fold, but Ryder is now ready to put a tough period behind him.
"I set the goal to make it back earlier this year and it is a great end to a tough year for me," Ryder said. "I'm more motivated than ever to perform for the Blackcaps."
And there won't be any extra safety nets put in place for Ryder's return. "Jesse is in the team environment so there's plenty of support in that environment," Edgar said.
It has also been confirmed that Luke Ronchi will have the wicketkeeping gloves throughout the series. Last week Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, confirmed that Brendon McCullum's days as a wicketkeeper were over due to his back problems.
Adam Milne, the 21-year-old Central Districts pace bowler, who was part of the squad in Sri Lanka has been retained despite not taking a wicket in those three matches.
Squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo