Wellington, Feb 20: Hard-hitting top-order batsman Jesse Ryder has been recalled to the New Zealand cricket team for Wednesday's third and deciding Twenty20 international against South Africa.
Ryder had missed the test, one-day and Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe and the first two Twenty20 matches against South Africa because of a calf injury. He replaces all-rounder Andrew Ellis, who asked to be released from the 13-man squad to be with his family in Christchurch for Wednesday's first anniversary of the Canterbury earthquake in which 185 people died.
Ryder last played for New Zealand in its seven-run test win over Australia at Hobart in December.
The Twenty20 series is tied after New Zealand won the first match by six wickets and South Africa won the second by eight wickets.