Ryder to return to Central Districts from Otago

Jesse Ryder will move from Otago to Central Districts, where he began his career in 2002 as an 18-year old, for the 2015-16 New Zealand domestic season. However, his involvement with the side is expected to be restricted to limited-overs cricket, which means he will not play in the first-class Plunket Shield. Ryder is currently playing first-class and T20 cricket for Essex in England, with the domestic one-day competition there set to begin later this month.

Lance Hamilton, the Central Districts general manager, said there were a couple of factors limiting Ryder's involvement. "There is the question of balancing his workload with Essex, he has got another year to run on that contract," Hamilton told ESPNcricinfo. "And it is also an attempt to continue the development of our local homegrown players through the longer version of the game."

A release from Central Districts stated that Ryder's name would appear among the 14 players to be offered a domestic contract by the side next week. Ryder's inclusion follows the retirement last season of New Zealand and Central Districts batsman Jamie How.

"Jesse has tons of ability and vast experience as both a batsman and genuine bowling option," Heinrich Malan, the Central Districts coach, said. "He offers real value to a group of players who are hungry to improve their game, both individually and as a team."

Ryder was with Central Districts for a couple of seasons until he moved to Wellington, where he spent the bulk of his domestic career, before shifting to Otago in 2013.

"CD gave me my first opportunity in cricket so I'm looking forward to returning and playing for the Stags again this summer," Ryder said.