In his first game for Wellington since taking a well-publicised break from the game, Jesse Ryder has announced his comeback with a typical bang.
Ryder made an unbeaten 84 from 83 balls in Wellington's first turn with the bat in their Plunket Shield match against Central Districts in Napier, steering his side to 254-8 at the close of day two.
While his team still trails the hosts' first innings total by 129 runs, Ryder would have undoubtedly taken some personal satisfaction from the day's events.
It was the 28-year-old's first innings at first class level since he decided to take an indefinite break from cricket in March, citing a need to resolve some inner demons after a "deeply stressful and emotional time".
Since sorting out his head and embarking on a fitness regime - which included a technical knockout victory against Radio Sport host Mark Watson in July's Fight for Life boxing event - Ryder has been in cracking form with the bat on Wellington's club scene.
And he evidently took that form into his first outing with the Firebirds, his run-a-ball knock keeping his side within touch of the Stags' imposing first innings total of 383-8 declared.
Unusually for for Ryder, his innings included only eight fours, indicating he was more than willing to accumulate the runs with his legs as opposed to relying on the lusty blows for which he is known.
But for all his good work, Ryder's side were still some way short of a first innings lead at stumps.
After resuming this morning on 301-3, Central would have had designs on an insurmountable total but, after Mathew Sinclair was first man out for 143, the wickets tumbled and they eventually declared.
Michael Papps (52) and Stephen Murdoch (48) had Wellington off to a good start, putting on 102 for the first wicket, but that was Wellington's best partnership by far. Without Ryder's knock they would have been facing a huge deficit but, as it is, Ryder and Mark Gillespie (7no) have their work cut out for them tomorrow.
In the day's other game in Rangiora, Canterbury are precariously placed with a day left of their clash with Otago, leading by 221 runs with just two wickets in hand.
The Wizards have recovered admirably from being 2-3 at the end of day two, but Otago will still fancy their chances of wrapping up the tail and chasing down the target tomorrow.
The day got off to a bad start for the visitors, when Neil Wagner was hit in the head by a stray ball before the start of play. The Black Caps quick still took to the field before leaving with a headache midway through his second over, but Otago Cricket confirmed his removal was only a precautionary measure.
The Volts' bowling attack didn't appear to miss their lynchpin too much, reducing the hosts to 307-8 at the close of play, with Mark Craig's four wickets leading the way.
Dean Brownlie's fifth first class century was the highlight for Canterbury, while Todd Astle (45no) and Ben McCord (41no) will resume tomorrow with an unbroken stand of 83 for the ninth wicket.
- Kris Shannon
