On the Latest Jesse Ryder (and Doug Bracewell) Incident

- It's come at a bad time. New Zealand's home season is gradually going downhill as South Africa continue to assert their superiority over the Black Caps, and this incident involving Ryder and Bracewell is the last thing a struggling team needs.

- In isolation, the incident is not really headline-grabbing material. But it is just another symptom of how all is not well in Jesse's world, and it is becoming all too evident on the field. Earlier, Ryder had stats and runs to defend himself with, which is not the case now. The manner of his dismissal in the 1st ODI (slogging Kallis to the fielder on the square leg boundary, one over before the powerplay), and the sitter he shelled on Wednesday's game are signs that things are spilling onto the field.

- I think NZC have handled the matter rather well - dropping him from the 3rd ODI and the first test, but not tearing up his contract or giving up on him. Ryder is being idiotic at the moment in his decision-making (or simply being himself, depending on your view). But he is also going through a tough time - his form is poor, he has actually put in an effort to lose weight, and the media have been over-the-top in their scrutiny (especially this atrocious piece of criticism from Craig McMillan).

- Stuff have published the statements of the bar patron who got into the verbal altercation with Ryder and Bracewell, and this is where I feel for Jesse. The self-righteousness of it all is nauseating. Samples: "In my view they were not respecting the Silver Fern", "think he (Ryder) probably needs to pick his friends a little better" and "the one match ban handed down to Ryder and Bracewell for the incident was sufficient punishment".

- Dumping Ryder completely is a luxury NZ can scarcely afford, so for those of us who would still like to see him as part of NZ's plans it's a relief to read that he has apparently been dropped on form, not on behavourial grounds, though no doubt the incident just made it easier for the selectors. They are, however, having to manage a very fine balancing act in their treatment of Ryder, and it's time the player himself repaid the faith.

- The other offender Doug Bracewell shouldn't be forgotten in the midst of all this. After his initial success the one-day returns have been meagre, and hopefully this incident keeps him honest. Seeing how arrogance and stupidity continues to get in the way of Tim Southee's progress, Bracewell would do well not to end up in the same boat.