CRICKET WELLINGTON MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 8 March 2012

Late Change to Wellington Firebirds’ Plunket Shield Team

Cricket Wellington has announced a late change to the Wellington Firebirds team to meet the Northern Knights in the Plunket Shield match beginning at the Hawkins Basin Reserve on 9 March.

Jesse Ryder has requested leave from the match and has been replaced in the side by North City batsman Michael Pollard.

Cricket Wellington CEO Peter Clinton said that Ryder and his management requested the leave for Jesse to have some time away from top-level cricket, to concentrate on his wellbeing.

“It’s no secret that Jesse’s had a rough past fortnight, and the advice from professionals associated with his care is that he’s just not in the right frame of mind for first-class cricket. We’re very aware of the pressures that Jesse is under, and we support him taking a break if that’s what’s required to help him through this. We’ll assist his return to the park when he’s ready to go, and not rush him beforehand.

“While Jesse is a professional athlete and understands that he has certain obligations to the fans, media and public, we’d ask that everyone gives him a little space now so that he can concentrate fully on getting himself ready again for professional cricket.”

Ryder’s manager Aaron Klee confirmed that the decision to request leave from cricket was a collective one between Jesse, himself, Heath Mills and Karen Nimmo, the clinical psychologist Jesse works with.

Klee said “We approached Peter Clinton when it became clear that Jesse needed some time out to address some personal issues. Peter and Cricket Wellington have kindly given their full support and we are very appreciative of them for this.

“This is not a decision made lightly. We are not dealing with this from a professional perspective as a cricketer, this is all about Jesse as a person. That is my total focus as his manager, and as his friend.

“This is a deeply stressful and emotional time for Jesse and those of us close to him. We would truly appreciate the time and space necessary to work through this period.

“We hope that Jesse will be available for Firebirds selection again in the coming weeks, but it would be imprudent of me to try and put an exact date on this.”

Karen Nimmo said while she fully supported Jesse taking a break from the game she was bound by confidentiality and could therefore not disclose specifics about the issues he is facing.

“He’s acknowledged his difficulties at a time of significant personal stress. Professional sport is a tough place to be because it’s about enduring huge stress on a very public stage. We hope to have Jesse back in the game as soon as possible.”

Heath Mills, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, said that it was important that Jesse took some time out from the game so he could focus on his health and well being.

“It is well documented that Jesse has some personal and health issues that are an ongoing challenge for him. Unfortunately the events of the last few weeks around his performance in international cricket, coupled with repercussions as a result of an instance of poor decision making, have been a significant setback.”

“At this time he needs to take a break from Cricket to focus on his health and well being.”

“Jesse is very fortunate to have great support from many people who are working to help him including Cricket Wellington and New Zealand Cricket. We hope that this support and Jesse’s determination will see him back playing Cricket soon,” said Mills

© Scoop Media