Ryder a flag-bearer for the big guys

Jesse Ryder has already won a prominent fan this season. Kerry O'Keeffe writes in the Sunday Telegraph that the game needs "big guys" and he reflects on some of the other characters who made it despite being of a less-than-athletic frame, including Greg Ritchie and Arjuna Ranatunga.

I don't care if Jesse Ryder is seen as being five pick handles across the backside. Jesse is a flag bearer. He gives hope to pears. He has proven that should clipboard-wielding nerds be forced to measure your skin folds with barbeque tongs then that's okay! Runs and wickets should be the only measuring stick, not callipers.

O'Keeffe also defends Ryder for his off-field behaviour - after all, it could happen to anyone.

After Jesse put his hand through a glass window at 4am in February, he had to endure a spell on the sidelines. Anyone can put their hand through a glass window at that time. It's normally pretty dark.