Ryder included in New Zealand's WT20 squad

Opening batsman Jesse Ryder will return to international cricket for the first time in seven months after being selected in the New Zealand squad for next month's ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Ryder was injured while playing for New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2009 and missed most of New Zealand's domestic season after having surgery to strengthen his abdominal wall.

He scored 103 from 109 balls for Wellington province last week in his first first-class match since his injury.

Canterbury batsman Rob Nicol is the only new cap in the 15-man New Zealand squad. New Zealand will be based in Georgetown, Guyana during the pool stages of the WT20 event.

"We are excited about the side and believe that they will go well in the tournament," New Zealand coach and selection panel spokesman Mark Greatbatch said. "We have a mix of players who are competitive on the world stage in the Twenty20 format. Obviously, we will need to be consistent with our performances and build momentum through pool play."

Daryl Tuffey and Neil Broom were not considered for selection because of injury while medium pacer Ian Butler, allrounder Jacob Oram and batsman Aaron Redmond are returning from injury layoffs.

Greatbatch said Nicol had earned his international callup after a strong domestic season.

"Rob Nicol comes in to the side on the back of some very good domestic form, particularly in the shorter form of the game," he said.

New Zealand will play in Group B with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for the tournament which runs from April 30 to May 16.

The full squad is as follows: Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.