New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has said that he still wants to play for New Zealand this summer despite being handed a six-month ban after failing a drug test.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the troubled cricketer, who has fought with alcohol problems and spent two days in a coma in March after being assaulted outside a Christchurch bar, took a weight-loss product, which contained a banned substance.
The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand banned Ryder for six months from April 19, which means he is free to play for his new provincial side Otago from October 19, the report said.
Ryder said that he had been through a lot this year and the main goal for him this summer was to get back into the Black Caps side.
The player recently had a meeting with Black Caps coach Mike Hesson about coming back, and was in contact with skipper Brendon McCullum, the report added.
