Ryder has battled to keep fit during his 16-test career since his debut in 2008 as muscle strains have been as frequent as his run-scoring exploits.
In only 29 innings, the 27-year-old has smashed three centuries and six 50s and boasts an impressive average at a touch under 45.
With rookie Kane Williamson at first drop, captain Ross Taylor at No 4 and Ryder at five the Black Caps have a formidable line-up, but Ryder was again ruled out of New Zealand's most recent test against Zimbabwe when he succumbed to a calf injury.
Crowe, who scored 5444 runs during an illustrious test career, said the Kiwi selectors needed to make some tough calls with how they manage Ryder in the future to ensure he is on the park as often as possible.
"Unless they decide to rule him out of playing the short form of the game and just focus on test cricket we won't see Jesse play consistently at five and therefore you're always going to have this rotating door at five,'' Crowe told APNZ.
"So the selectors have got to get pretty clever here. Jesse's not getting any fitter, so they've got to make a decision on his behalf as to what form of the game he's going to focus on.''
Northern Districts batsman BJ Watling filled in at No 5 during the one-off test with Zimbabwe, which New Zealand won by 34 runs, but he didn't set the world on fire and Crowe speculated he was only taken on tour as a back-up wicketkeeper to Brendon McCullum and Reece Young.
"I think Daniel Flynn is a far better No 5 in the country as a back-up behind Jesse,'' Crowe said.
Otago's Neil Broom also scored plenty of runs in the Plunket Shield last summer and has never been given a chance at test level despite averaging 42.89 in domestic four-day cricket, with 10 centuries.
New Zealand travel to Australia later this month for a four-day tour match against Australia before two tests in December against their transtasman rivals.
Cricket tours don't come a lot tougher, with one of the five-day affairs to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane, which is a fast-paced wicket where Australia never seem to lose.
Crowe said the acid would go on the batsmen to turn their starts in to big scores to ensure New Zealand had totals they could bowl at with their limited pace attack of Tim Southee, Chris Martin and newcomer Doug Bracewell.
"All teams struggle when they go to Australia - apart from England recently. With Tim Southee coming back that's the best we can put put on the park.
''Whether they can compete over five days is going to be, one, up to the batters converting 50s into hundreds and, two, the ability to make inroads with the new ball with Chris Martin, Southee and Bracewell, who looks really impressive. Daniel Vettori will hold up an end, but we've got to take wickets with the new ball. So Southee becomes the key, but it's going to be difficult to beat Australia at the Gabba any time.''
Southee is returning from a back injury and was included in Northern's line-up for their opening Plunket Shield encounter with Auckland in Whangarei today.
The Black Caps return from Zimbabwe this week and will play the second round of the domestic four-day competition from November 14-17 for their provinces before heading to Australia.
- Daniel Richardson
