World Twenty20: Jesse Ryder not included in New Zealand squad
New Zealand have omitted Jesse Ryder from their World Twenty20 squad after his latest indiscretion.
Last Updated: 07/03/14 7:41am
The 29-year-old's omission comes after he admitted to being out drinking just hours before the first Test started against India earlier this month.
Selection manager Bruce Edgar and national coach Mike Hesson said they had no choice but to exclude him for the tournament - which starts on March 16 and is live on Sky Sports - with his place taken by Kane Williamson.
Naming the side, Edgar said: "It certainly created a gap for us. Mike and I certainly weren't happy with his preparation and therefore we have had to exclude him.
"Character is really important and if we feel... it does not stack up we will not select a player."
Ryder and team-mate Doug Bracewell accepted a charge of misconduct and were fined after being seen drinking, with Ryder subsequently dropped for the second Test, while Bracewell was also excluded through injury.
Misconduct
Ryder only recently returned to the New Zealand team after taking an almost two-year break to tackle well-documented off-the-field problems.
He then made an impact in the one-day international series against West Indies in December and January, notching 104 in the third ODI in Auckland - the sixth fastest ton in ODIs.
As well as part-time spinner Williamson, New Zealand have included two other spin bowling options - Roneel Hira and Anton Devcich - with the pitches in Bangladesh expected to be slow and likely to turn.
Edgar added: "We were looking for batsmen who can play spin well, as well as some more spin bowling options."
New Zealand go into the tournament in good form in the short forms of the game having beaten West Indies in an ODI and Twenty20 series and world champions India 4-0 in a five-match ODI series.
Hesson said: "The goal for us is simply to keep to the same preparation that served us well over the summer and not get ahead of ourselves."
New Zealand squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Martin Gptill, Roneel Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.