Ryder repays faith after battling alchohol problems

NAPIER, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder repaid the faith shown by national selectors that he would kick an alcohol problem after scoring his first test double century against India on Friday.

The 24-year-old made 201 out of New Zealand's 619 for nine declared in the second test, raising valuable partnerships with Ross Taylor (151), James Franklin (52) and Brendon McCullum (115) to put his side in command after the tourists slumped to 79 for three at stumps.

Ryder had combined with Ross Taylor in a record partnership of 271 after the hosts, down 1-0 in the three test series, were reduced to 23-3 in the first session of play.

Resuming on his overnight 137, he played a true test innings with few false shots, batting for more than eight hours until he completed his double century.

He hooked Zaheer Khan behind square for his 24th boundary to reach the mark, but played on the next ball while chasing a wide delivery.

The burly left hander, dismissed the next ball after reaching his maiden test century in the first game in Hamilton, was visibly angry with himself, smashing his bat into the ground.

He also banged his bat against his pads several times as he trudged back to the stands and threw the bat into the seating area outside the New Zealand dressing room.

"It was a wide half volley. I was disappointed in going so far and working so hard to get to where I did. To get out like that really angered me," Ryder told reporters.

"It probably looked a lot worse than what it was. I was just disappointed at the time; what happened, happened."