Troubled Kiwi Ryder unlikely to yield to temptation before his time is up

Ryder, 28, said in June last year that he intended to take a year-long break from Black Caps duty but later suggested he was considering facing England, whose Twenty20 series starts on February 9.

Ryder, who has struggled with various personal issues during his career, has been in fine form for Wellington and has decided to remain in the domestic game.

The player’s agent Aaron Klee said: “Jesse has decided he is not ready to return to the Black Caps yet. All his thinking is to keep to his original plan, which was to take 12 months out of international cricket.

“That decision was made last June, so it’s unlikely he’s going to deviate from his plan.”

A player of Ryder’s ability would clearly be a huge boost to New Zealand, but they are sympathetic to his position.

Heath Mills, chief executive of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association said: “The temptation is to play against England. But that would be a mistake if we get back where we were 10 months ago.”

Angelo Mathews hit an unbeaten 35 to help steer Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win in the opening Twenty20 international against Australia.

Chasing a target of 138 in Sydney, the tourists rarely looked troubled and sealed victory with seven balls left.

Australia’s innings of 137-3 was largely due to a score of 90 not out from opener David Warner.