Jesse Ryder set for T20 Black Clash return

Ryder, now 41, adds even more star power to an already stacked Team Cricket line up for the January 17 showdown against Team Rugby. The former Black Cap played 82 times for New Zealand across all formats, notching up three test centuries and three ODI hundreds during a whirlwind international career.

His most iconic knock came in 2014, when he blasted a 46-ball century - the sixth-fastest in ODI history - in a demolition of the West Indies. While Corey Anderson stole headlines that day with a 36-ball ton at the opposite end, Ryder’s ferocity at the top of the order made him one of the most feared hitters in world cricket.

Since retiring from professional cricket in 2018, the left-hander has continued to feature in franchise leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, Vitality Blast and Caribbean Premier League. This year he even smashed a 130 off 57 balls in India’s Intercontinental Legends Championship.

But Ryder admits he’s not exactly gearing up with a heavy training block for the Black Clash.

“Oh, I don't know if I'll be doing much training,” he laughed, speaking to RNZ this morning. “I’m still playing overseas at the moment, so I’ve still been playing a little bit.”

Ryder said he hasn’t watched much of the Black Clash in recent years but is excited to get amongst the atmosphere. 

And after years playing abroad, the chance to perform in front of home fans again is a major drawcard.

“It’ll be cool to be out playing in front of the New Zealand crowd again.”

Ryder will reunite with a few former teammates including Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Hamish Marshall and Neil Wagner. 

Team Cricket won’t have it all their own way, though. Team Rugby, led by former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, have secured Australian great Michael Hussey as their wildcard - following in the footsteps of his brother David, who played in the inaugural match in 2019. Current All Black Ruben Love will also feature.

But while Ryder continues to chase cricket opportunities overseas, not everything about global tournaments has been smooth sailing. He revealed he has faced payment issues in India this year.

“They love it over there,” he said. “But this year we’ve had a few payment issues with tournaments not paying players. The last one I went to about a month ago - they didn’t pay us, and it’s blowing up in the media over there.”

“I’ve put in complaints to the embassy and stuff like that, but it’s just a waiting game really.”

Tickets are available at https://blackclash.co.nz/tickets/