New Zealand selectors Friday threw a lifeline to talented batsman Jesse Ryder by including him in the 13-member A squad for four one-dayers in Dubai next month.
Ryder returns to a New Zealand combination for the first time since last summer's series against India and can stay in fray for a chance to make it to the World Cup squad.
New Zealand A will play four 50 over matches at the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai against UAE (Nov 23), Afghanistan (Nov 26) and Ireland (Nov 29 and Dec 1).
Besides Ryder, selectors also picked up Derek de Boorder, who is the only member of the squad without One-Day International experience.
New Zealand Cricket General Manager National Selection Bruce Edgar said the A team's tour is an opportunity for the selectors to have a closer look at some of the players on the fringe of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 selection.
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"The squad for CWC 2015 is to be named on January 8 (2015), so we want to ensure every player in contention is given a chance on the international stage. We need to know we've left no questions unanswered," he said.
Edgar said Ryder has been included in the squad to assess and evaluate his progress in an international touring environment.
"I'll remind people that, at this point, Jesse has been selected for NZ A, nothing more; nothing less. It's an important step for Jesse but it is only a first step and we're'anxious not to get ahead of ourselves. Like everyone else in the squad, his future prospects will depend on his performance, on and off the field in Dubai," he said.
Edgar said de Boorder's selection effectively confirms his position as the country's third-ranked wicket-keeper, after Bradley Watling and Luke Ronchi.
"Derek's been making good progress as a specialist gloveman with the SBS Bank Otago Volts, and his inclusion in this squad is recognition of that."
Edgar added that New Zealand Test players who are not involved in the second and third Tests against Pakistan will also be used for the four New Zealand A matches, all of which will carry official List A status.
The squad for two Twenty20 matches and five One-Day Internationals against Pakistan in the UAE from Dec 4 will be named Dec 1
New Zealand A squad: Kyle Mills (captain), Dean Brownlie, Derek de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jesse Ryder and Daniel Vettori