Ryder dropped for drinking

Jesse Ryder injured his hand the last time he was drunk

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New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will miss tomorrow’s one-day international against West Indies after being dropped following a late night drinking session in Wellington.

The 24-year-old was fined after a disciplinary hearing for missing a team meeting yesterday morning and being unable to train in the afternoon in Auckland.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said: “We are all disappointed that this has happened.

“Since February last year, we have witnessed encouraging signs from Jesse both on and off the park. These vast improvements meant Jesse was recently given more latitude in his personal decision-making.

“In hindsight, this was premature. However while it is a drinking-related issue, it does not compare with last February in its severity.”

Ryder apologised to the team at training today.

“I have not only let myself down, but also my team-mates, support team and the cricket fans in general,” he said.

“I thought I had reached the point where I could control my drinking better, but that is obviously not the case.

“I am only now starting to appreciate the size of the challenge that I face. I am totally committed to overcoming this problem and understand I will have to work even harder with the support group around me.”

Ryder was recalled to the Black Caps' squad for their October tour of Bangladesh six months after a hand injury sustained in an after-hours incident in a Christchurch bar ended his season.

Mathew Sinclair comes into the team for the match and will bat at number three.

The five-match series is level at 1-1.