Cricket News: Irish cricket fans could have been afforded a wry smile early yesterday morning if they were watching New Zealand's Jesse Ryder flay England to all parts of Seddon Park in Hamilton.

The 23-year old pinch-hitter took the man-of-the-match honours in just his second One Day International, hitting a blistering 79 not out off 62 balls to help the Black Caps to a resounding 10-wicket victory.

Ryder seems to have made giant strides from the player who made a less-than-auspicious cameo with Ireland last summer.

Signed up to play as an overseas professional for the Friends Provident Trophy series, the all-rounder made just three runs and failed to take a wicket in two games, against Gloucestershire and Essex, before failing to turn up for Ireland's clash against Surrey at The Oval.

That game was abandoned because of rain, but Ireland coach Phil Simmons wasn't happy at Ryder's no-show, saying: "It's not acceptable to me, and I don't think he'll play for Ireland again."

Simmons was true to his word and Ryder's brief Ireland career was at a close.

Renowned as a bit of a wild child, Ryder seemed to acknowledge the error of his ways in a recent interview, saying: "Off the field I have had a few problems in the past but this year has been great.

"You have to grow up sooner or later if you want to make the big time. It's taken me a little longer than I had hoped."

Ryder was joined in the English onslaught by wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum, who faced only 47 deliveries in his unbeaten 80, as New Zealand chased down a revised target of 165 in just 18.1 overs.

Earlier England had appeared to be going well on 85 for two but collapsed after the rain break, losing their last eight wickets for just 73 runs.