While Ross Taylor was setting records in Hamilton, he could have done with fellow Masterton star, Jesse Ryder to be at the other end. Almost a year ago to the day, Ryder & Taylor combined in a record 271 partnership against India, with Taylor scoring a 150 and Ryder progressing to a double century.
Curiously, while Taylor was performing his heroics Ryder was also racing to a century, finishing with 114 off 67 balls for Naenae Old Boys. Today he returned to first class cricket for Wellington hitting 103 off 109 balls.
What I find infuriating about this, is that Ryder was back in the first week of March playing club cricket and actually bowled 11 overs without incident. At the time he was told he would have to play for Wellington before coming back for New Zealand. He played another week of club cricket but was ill before Wellington's next game so couldn't complete the fitness test set for him. Former player and commentator John Morrison queried whether it would have been better to simply play him, and I agree. Ryder is a unique talent and should have been returned to New Zealand duty where we is badly needed.
Meanwhile, in Hamilton it looks like Australia are going to set a target well beyond our batsmen.
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