Ryder, Bracewell dropped for breaking protocol

Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell have been dropped for New Zealand's third ODI against South Africa after they were found to have broken team protocol following the defeat in Napier. Ryder and Bracewell went out to a hotel after the match and became involved in an argument with a patron.

In a statement NZC said the players had "compromised their preparation" for the third one-dayer by their actions. "Team protocols dictate that players who are rehabilitating from injury should not consume alcohol and unfortunately both players went to a Napier hotel following the conclusion of the match," the board said in a release. "Also, while at the hotel both players verbally reacted to taunts from a member for the public."

Bracewell was being treated for a tight hamstring, while Ryder split the webbing of his hand during the Napier match. Ryder had only just returned to the New Zealand squad after recovering from a calf injury, which had kept him out of the team since the tour of Australia in December. He made 52 in the third Twenty20 against South Africa, and 0 and 6 in the first two ODIs.

"Further to the issue of breaking team protocols related to their preparation, we are disappointed they [Ryder and Bracewell] become involved in a verbal argument with a patron," New Zealand team manager Mike Sandle said. "Despite the fact that the players were goaded, and they didn't allow the situation to escalate past a short exchange of words, we expect players to walk away.

"Both players have apologised for their actions and said they fully understood the consequences. They know they have let down fans and team mates alike."

While this is Bracewell's first such indiscretion on the international circuit, that is not the case for Ryder. In August 2010, Ryder was fined for "intoxicated and rowdy" behaviour at a hotel during an indoor cricket tournament and he said he had feared for his career while NZC were investigating the incident. The most serious of Ryder's indiscretions was in 2008, when he put his right hand through a glass window during a late-night session at a Christchurch bar. In January 2009, NZC said Ryder had given up alcohol after another incident, which resulted in him missing an ODI against West Indies.