Cricket: Ryder return against England on cards

Jesse Ryder says he will meet New Zealand coach Mike Hesson at the end of the month to discuss a possible return to the side for the upcoming England tour.

Ryder hasn't played on the international scene since last February's second ODI against South Africa in Napier but said he couldn't be ruled out of a return this summer.

He's been in fine form for the Wellington Firebirds this season, having led them to Friday's HRV Cup minor-final against Auckland while also amassing 558 runs in nine Plunket Shield innings, including three centuries.

He told LiveSport this morning that he will meet Hesson following New Zealand's current tour of South Africa.

"There is a meeting on the 29th coming up when the coach is back so we'll see how that goes," Ryder said.

"I'm definitely not ruled out for a return for England."

England open their tour of New Zealand on February 4 with two Twenty20 warm-up games against a New Zealand XI in Whangarei before playing three T20s, three ODIs and three tests against the Black Caps.

Having previous been coy on his future, Ryder spoke more openly about his desire to return in all forms for New Zealand.

"Definitely all forms, especially test cricket. That's the main goal for me to be a consistent test player."

Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum made it clear overnight that he wants the gifted left-hander back in the side.

"We would love to have Jesse in our team," he said. "He's got some issues that he's dealing with at the moment and he's making progress. But when he's fit and healthy and fine in his own space and performing as he is back home he'll be a vital member of the team."

Ryder, who played the last of his 18 tests in the historic victory over Australia in Hobart in 2011, told LiveSport that his self-imposed break from the game has helped to deal with the ups and downs of cricket.

"I think I'll be fine. I've had a good 11 months off and worked on a lot of stuff ... you're always going to have your failures in cricket. Hopefully I can be a little bit more consistent once I get back to the international stage."

The 28-year-old said the Black Caps' recent two-test series defeat to South Africa, where they lost both matches by an innings, was hard viewing.

"It's not exactly good to watch. Hopefully the boys can pull together and get a result out of these one-dayers coming up.

"They are a lot better players than what they are showing at the moment. I think maybe show a little bit more grit and fight. BJ Watling was a good example of that, he battled through."