The cult of Jesse

When Jesse Ryder is on top, New Zealand are on top. He has cricket charisma and his team-mates love playing with him as much as the fans love watching him. JRod in his blog on the Wisden Cricketer website believes the left-hander may not just be a cult figure, he could become a cult leader.

He can bat – seriously bat, and has a technique so uncluttered it looks like a team of reality TV cleaners have just come through.

He is also a man who can laugh when he is on 99*, on the verge of his maiden ton and Chris Martin, the worst batsman in modern cricket, is playing and missing. This Test has shown us a whole other side to Jesse, one that a lot of New Zealand experts didn’t believe he had.