The National Bank New Zealand Cricket Awards dinner was a complete success, especially for one young Wellington batsman.
Jesse Ryder, who is currently out because of injury, was one of the major winners last night.
Not only did he receive his Test cap, he also won the Redpath Cup for his stunning batting performances during the 2008/2009 season.
“I was really thrilled to win and wasn't expecting to win anything,” Ryder says humbly. But with his dedication to putting in the hard yards with the willow both in Test matches and One-Day Internationals, Ryder was a shoe in for the award.
His road to success was during the Indian tour in which Ryder scored a double century, a century and an ODI hundred.
“This award really is icing on the cake.”
Because of his inclusion to the New Zealand Test team, Ryder was presented with his Black Cap, the highlight of any cricketer's career. “It's a great honour to get a Test cap,” Ryder says. “I've wanted to play Test cricket since I was young, so for me this is a great honour.”
Ryder says it will be a feature in his house. “I'm going to put it in the games room along with all my other memoribilia.”
Although Ryder is out for the next two months with a groin injury, he is desperate to get back out onto the oval. However he is hoping to get an opportunity to play some domestic cricket for Wellington this season.
