Ryder gets ban for late-night jol

The Proteas are not allowing themselves to be distracted by the latest implosion of New Zealand cricket, with coach Gary Kirsten urging his players to remain focused on tomorrow's final one-day international and the three test matches to come.

The latest - and most dramatic - sign of disarray in the Black Caps came yesterday when Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell were suspended from tomorrow's match, as well as the three tests, after a riotous night on the town following Wednesday's defeat to the Proteas in the second ODI.

Ryder's international cricket career is now in jeopardy after he and Bracewell, who was honoured last week by ESPNcricinfo for the best test bowling in 2011, were warned by the team's management about their "unacceptable behaviour".

Kiwi team manager Mike Sandle said the two players responded "verbally" to taunts from a crowd in a Napier bar after the Black Caps had been well beaten by the Proteas only a few hours before. Ryder made a duck in the match and Bracewell had been dropped for the game.

Ryder only recently returned to the team from injury and has been on a final warning after a series of off-the-field incidents. In 2008, he badly cut a hand while trying to break into a hotel toilet in Christchurch. In 2010, Ryder was fined and warned by New Zealand Cricket for his part in a pub row in Christchurch.

He has been on a strict training and diet regime under fitness coach Chris Donaldson and has lost several kilograms in weight.

Ryder's replacement in the New Zealand team could be South African-born batsman BJ Watling, who has been in good form this season.

Other contenders are former captain Daniel Vettori and Tom Latham, who played two games against Zimbabwe recently but did not impress.

The New Zealand test squad is expected to be named today.

The Proteas have only one injury concern ahead of tomorrow's match.

Graeme Smith has a shoulder injury and is not only hoping for it to heal in time for the match, but also for a marathon that he plans to run in Taupo on Sunday.

It is expected that Johan Botha and Wayne Parnell, who have had little game time on tour, could be included in the ODI side tomorrow.

Skipper AB de Villiers is demanding a 3-0 sweep in the ODI series. "I have told the players not to shut off. We must maintain the momentum. We can't relax."