BLACKCAPS batsman Jesse Ryder has been off the international scene since September 2009. He returned to domestic cricket in fabulous fashion scoring a century in his first appearance and has been named in the Twenty20 World Cup team.
Blackcaps.co.nz talks exclusively with the talented top order batsman about his road back to the international stage.
You've been out for nearly 6 months, what did it feel like to take to the park again last week?
It was good to return. Six months is a long time out of cricket.
You must be pleased with your century in your first domestic game back from injury, what was going through your head when you first walked on to bat and what were you thinking as you approached the 100 mark?
Coming back and scoring runs was good. I was pretty excited and wasn't nervous at all out in the middle. The night before I was quite nervous though! It was exciting once I got my 100. It was just good to get out there and score some runs.
How's the process going regarding your recovery?
It's going fine. I'm doing everything I have to be doing and it seems to be working. It's been crazy going for five months not knowing what's happening then having the surgery and being back in the gym within days. I'm in a good head space at the moment.
You've been picked in the T20 squad - that must be quite a relief since you have missed the majority of the international and domestic season?
I can't wait to play some international cricket. It's been a while and I'm excited to get in. I'm not one to watch too much cricket because I get frustrated and want to be out there. It's been a hard five months.
What were your driving factors to get better in time for the World Cup?
The fitness thing, and sticking to what I've been doing, keeping it going.
What is going to be your plan of attack for the World Cup?
What preparation steps are you taking? Bryan Stronach (fitness coach) gave me a programme for the next two weeks and that's going well. I'll start doing lots of skill work and lots of fitness work so I'm ready to go.
What are your goals for the future?
I just want to stay on the park. That's my main goal. And to get my averages up for the ODIs and Twenty20’s.
