Ryder says 'passion still there' to play for NZ in 2015 WC

Big-hitting batsman Jesse Ryder has said that the passion is still there to play for New Zealand in the one-day format World Cup after he was named in the New Zealand A squad on Friday.

He would play four 50-over matches in the United Arab Emirates as a part of the team in November.

Since being named in the New Zealand A squad Ryder has said that he hoped it was a path for him towards the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, Stuff.co.nz reported.

He said that if he didn't he wouldn't be in the A team so it's definitely something he wants, and added that so he has got to put the hard work in first and see what happens. He said its just a stepping stone and hopefully it's a good one for him.

Ryder said that he would go over there and just do what he needs to do to show that he is still keen to be a part of it.

Ryder hasn't represented his country since last summer's series against India, and New Zealand Cricket general manager national selection Bruce Edgar said that the A tour was an opportunity for the selectors to have a closer look at some of the players on the fringe of World Cup 2015 group.

Edgar said Ryder has been included in the squad to assess and evaluate his progress in an international touring environment.