New Zealand all-rounder Jesse Ryder, who has been enjoying his run in Indoor Cricket World Cup at Insportz in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), does not seem interested in returning to the top-flight cricket after life-threatening assault in 2013, outside a bar in Christchurch.
“I have no plans for international cricket at this stage, just focussing on this (Indoor World Cup) at the moment and then going home,” Ryder was quoted as saying by PTI.
In the opener of the 2017 Indoor World Cup for Cricket at Al Quoz in Dubai, New Zealand side defeated the UAE by 125, as the hosts posted 111 on September 16.
“We have got a great bunch of lads and we just hope to continue winning. It’s a very experienced group,” Ryder asserted.
Interestingly, Ryder used to play such fascinating game at the age of 14, as he further reveals there is no comparison between international cricket and indoor cricket.
“There are no similarities. It’s a completely different game,” Ryder further added.
The 33-year-old Wellington-born Ryder was hospitalized in a critical condition after suffering multiple head injuries in an assault, before breathing a new life and eventually made the return to domestic set-up.
For over a period of two days, Ryder was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in March 2013 after internal bleeding, and punctured lung reveals life is unique.
“Life is good, I am just enjoying what I have been doing,” Ryder maintained.
Not having any international comeback in his mind, Ryder is spending most of his time for the off-field activities while opting not to bother himself after four-men bashed him in the brawl some little over four years back.
“It’s not something I am thinking about [return top-flight cricket] at this moment. If it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Ryder added.
Overwhelming against all the odds, Ryder was making a surprising recovery owing to the painstaking rehabilitation, as misbehavior further forced him to stay away from the cricket in the national set-up.
Ryder, who made his international debut in 2008, featured in 48 One-day international for the Black Caps, as he scored 1,362 runs at an average of 33.21.
Once considered as a big thing in New Zealand in its national fold, Ryder scored 1,269 runs at an average of 40.39 in 18 Tests. He has smashed three hundreds each in the five-day game and 50-over format respectively.
Ryder also played 22 Twenty20 Internationals after making his international debut against England at Auckland in 2008.