Black Caps vice-captain Brendon McCullum says Jesse Ryder just needs to do what makes him happy after he turned down a New Zealand Cricket contract yesterday to work through personal issues.
McCullum told Radiosport he caught-up with Ryder during the recent Indian Premier League and said was in a "really good space".
"Who knows what the game's got in store for Jesse in the next six to 12 months ... he's got to do what makes him happy, get himself back to where he needs to be. His talent is unquestionable but I guess his respect within the team needs to be continued to be re-earned," McCullum said.
"You want to know every time you go into battle the guy standing next to you is equally committed as you are and I guess that's been questioned on a couple of occasions with Jess and we now know there have been a few issues that he's had to deal with and I'm not talking out of school here, because I've told him honestly what I think as well, and I'm sure he won't mind me commenting on it.
"Jess knows he's got to earn some of that respect back from some of the guys and I think that's quite right, just like anyone has to gain respect when they come into the team."
McCullum said New Zealand Cricket would surely benefit if Ryder made a return.
"He's got a tremendous amount of talent and everyone wants him back on the park. He's just got a couple of blemishes he's got to iron out. I'm sure if he can do that then New Zealand Cricket and Jesse are both going to benefit from it.
"We all know what the pot of the gold is at the end of the rainbow which is his talent and his performances in key situations. We hope that overrides anything else and we've just got to wait and see and time will tell, I guess. Six months in this game is a long time so we'll see how it unfolds and we wish him all the best."
