WELLINGTON — New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will miss the Black Caps' home series against England and instead make himself available for the Indian Premier League, his manager said Monday. Ryder opted to take a self-imposed break from cricket last March after a series of disciplinary lapses and a drop in form that led to him consulting a psychologist. The talented batsman has been in good touch since returning to first-class cricket with Wellington late last year but manager Aaron Klee said it was too early for the 28-year-old to resume his international career. “There's nothing to be gained by rushing him back,” Klee told the Dominion Post newspaper. “There's just downside risks, but if we're a bit more patient and wait till everything is in place and Jesse's ready, then there will be more upside risks.” Instead of playing in the England tour beginning next month, Klee said Ryder would put himself forward in the player auction for the IPL, which runs from April 3 to May 26. “People are going to speculate about why he's available for the IPL and not New Zealand (but) it's a domestic competition and it's a short-term contract, so it gives us the ability to reassess it.” Gooch steps down as England limited overs batting coach Graham Gooch has stepped down as batting coach for England's one-day and Twenty20 teams and will focus exclusively on the Test side, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement Sunday. Graham Thorpe, like Gooch one of England's most successful batsman of the past 25 years, takes over as batting coach for the limited overs matches for the tour of New Zealand starting next month. The demands of the three forms of the game has already led England head coach Andy Flower to step down from one-dayers and Twenty 20s with Ashley Giles taking over. Bangladesh to tour Sri Lanka in March Bangladesh will play two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 match on their month-long tour of Sri Lanka in March, the Sri Lankan board announced Monday. Itinerary: March 3-5: Three-day match, Matara. March 8-12: First Test, Galle. March 16-20: Second Test, Colombo. March 23: First ODI, Hambantota. March 25: Second ODI, Hambantota. March 28: Third ODI, Pallekele. March 31: T20 international, Pallekele. — Agencies
