The Jesse Ryder who flung his bat at everything last season has transformed into a more patient version of the same firebrand cricketer.
The left-hander cracked his third first-class century in five games for Otago.
His wonderful knock of 119 was a perfect rehearsal for his return to the Black Caps one-day side later this week.
The 29-year-old looked assured throughout his four-hour stay at the crease during day three of Otago's Plunket Shield fixture against Central Districts at the University Oval yesterday.
So far this summer, Ryder has scored 573 first-class runs at an average of 71.62.
Perhaps only the great Bert Sutcliffe has had a better start to his Otago career.
Sutcliffe took just three games to post 500 runs for the province - Ryder needed four and a-half games.
