Early career

On 30 January 2008, Ryder was chosen in the 12-man Twenty20 squad and the 13-man ODI squad to play England. New Zealand Cricket Selection Manager Richard Hadlee said "Jesse has the potential to provide an explosive start alongside Brendon McCullum at the top of the innings in both forms of the game." Ex-cricketer Adam Parore subsequently hit out at the selector's decision to pick Ryder, claiming that he was "too fat" and "in no fit state to play for New Zealand."

Ryder's 2007/08 season ended on 24 February 2008 when he badly cut his hand trying to break into a toilet at a Christchurch bar at 5:30am the day after New Zealand had won the one day series against England.

It was later revealed that Ryder had been drinking until 1:30 am the night before the fifth ODI against England (Ryder scored 24) and had been rude to staff at Christchurch hospital, demanding preferential treatment when he was being treated for his hand injury.

Late career

Ryder managed to get through the Indian tour without any further indiscretions. He was NZ's best batsman in the five ODIs, scoring 225 runs at an average of 56.25. He scored his first ODI century for New Zealand in the third match and was the man of the match in the fifth match for his all round performance, 3-29 and 63. His century (105) off 72 balls, was the third fastest ODI century for New Zealand. Ryder and McCullum enhanced their reputations as an opening partnership sharing two stands of over 100 in 4 innings, 166 in the third match and 102 in the 4th match.

In the second Test match at Napier, Ryder scored his maiden double century, (201) and put on 271 with Ross Taylor (151). This was a new record fourth wicket partnership against all countries and fourth highest test partnership ever for New Zealand. Ryder became the first New Zealander since Nathan Astle to score two centuries in two consecutive Test matches.

Ryder's contribution to the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament was limited. He scored 31 off 12 balls against Scotland but then picked up a "particularly nasty groin infection", played no further part in the competition and was replaced in the squad by Aaron Redmond.

During the Indian first innings Ryder took the key wicket of Indian opener Gautam Gambhir. His return went well as he scored his third test century and his first outside New Zealand. This came while New Zealand were chasing a mammoth Indian first innings total of 429. He was engaged in a 194 run partnership with debutant Kane Williamson who finished the day on 87*. Ryder was given out lbw on the third ball of the final over of the third day; he scored 103.

Injuries

Ryder was injured from October 2009 to March 2010 and so did not play for New Zealand. In April 2010 he played a first class game for Wellington and scored 103. He was unable to make the August 2010 tour to Sri Lanka due to an elbow injury but was