Jesse Daniel Ryder (born 6 August 1984) is a former international New Zealand cricketer, who played all forms of the game. He is a middle-order batsman for Tests and is an opening batsman in ODIs. Ryder also bowls useful medium-pace.
Ryder has previously represented his country in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup of 2002. He played his domestic cricket with Wellington after crossing there from Central Districts in 2004 and is a member of their first-class and List A teams. In 2014 he had a successful county season for Essex County Cricket Club and returned in 2015.
International career
Early career
On 30 January 2008, Ryder was chosen in the 12-man Twenty20 squad and the 13-man ODI squad to play England. New Zealand Cricket Selection Manager Richard Hadlee said "Jesse has the potential to provide an explosive start alongside Brendon McCullum at the top of the innings in both forms of the game." Ex-cricketer Adam Parore subsequently hit out at the selector's decision to pick Ryder, claiming that he was "too fat" and "in no fit state to play for New Zealand."
Ryder's 2007/08 season ended on 24 February 2008 when he badly cut his hand trying to break into a toilet at a Christchurch bar at 5:30am the day after New Zealand had won the one day series against England.
It was later revealed that Ryder had been drinking until 1:30 am the night before the fifth ODI against England (Ryder scored 24) and had been rude to staff at Christchurch hospital, demanding preferential treatment when he was being treated for his hand injury.
Late career
Ryder managed to get through the Indian tour without any further indiscretions. He was NZ's best batsman in the five ODIs, scoring 225 runs at an average of 56.25. He scored his first ODI century for New Zealand in the third match and was the man of the match in the fifth match for his all round performance, 3-29 and 63. His century (105) off 72 balls, was the third fastest ODI century for New Zealand. Ryder and McCullum enhanced their reputations as an opening partnership sharing two stands of over 100 in 4 innings, 166 in the third match and 102 in the 4th match.
In the second Test match at Napier, Ryder scored his maiden double century, (201) and put on 271 with Ross Taylor (151). This was a new record fourth wicket partnership against all countries and fourth highest test partnership ever for New Zealand. Ryder became the first New Zealander since Nathan Astle to score two centuries in two consecutive Test matches.
Ryder's contribution to the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament was limited. He scored 31 off 12 balls against Scotland but then picked up a "particularly nasty groin infection", played no further part in the competition and was replaced in the squad by Aaron Redmond.
During the Indian first innings Ryder took the key wicket of Indian opener Gautam Gambhir. His return went well as he scored his third test century and his first outside New Zealand. This came while New Zealand were chasing a mammoth Indian first innings total of 429. He was engaged in a 194 run partnership with debutant Kane Williamson who finished the day on 87*. Ryder was given out lbw on the third ball of the final over of the third day; he scored 103.
Injuries
Ryder was injured from October 2009 to March 2010 and so did not play for New Zealand. In April 2010 he played a first class game for Wellington and scored 103. He was unable to make the August 2010 tour to Sri Lanka due to an elbow injury but was able to make the headlines on 7 August 2010 with yet another misconduct charge for intoxication.
Indefinite break from cricket
On 8 March 2012, Ryder decided to take an indefinite break from international cricket following injury concerns and a prolonged history of disciplinary issues.
In December 2012 despite good form, scoring 162 from 174 balls against Central Districts on 11 December, Ryder said he was still not ready to return to international cricket.
Return to international cricket
Ryder returned to international cricket when he was called up to the ODI squad to face West Indies. On 1 January 2014, Ryder and Corey Anderson at the Queenstown Events Centre broke some records: Anderson broke Shahid Afridi's 17-year-old record of the fastest ODI hundred by one ball, scoring his in 36 balls; he eventually ended with an unbeaten 131 that featured 14 sixes and 6 fours. Along with Ryder, they helped New Zealand set the team record for the most sixes in an ODI innings. Ryder scored the sixth fastest century with 104 in 46 balls with 5 sixes.