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Jesse Ryder is in intensive care after the incident in Christchurch © Getty Images
Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand batsman, is in a critical condition in hospital after being assaulted late on Wednesday evening in Christchurch.
Ryder, 28, is in intensive care after suffering a fractured skull in the attack - where he was reportedly beaten up by a group of four men as he enjoyed a drink with friends at a bar in Merivale. Local media also suggested that Ryder had sustained a punctured lung and internal bleeding and that his injuries had left him in a coma.
"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," NZC chief executive, David White, said in a statement.
Ryder, who has played 18 Tests for New Zealand in his career but has been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket for the last year, had been due to join up with the Delhi Daredevils later this week, ahead of the start of the IPL season in early April. In January, he ruled out a return for New Zealand, despite his impressive domestic form.
Ryder had been involved in Wellington's defeat to Canterbury in the Ford Trophy earlier in the day. He is understood to have been drinking with team-mates at the bar, called Aikmans. A witness was quoted by the New Zealand Herald describing the attack as "unprovoked" .
A statement on the New Zealand Police website read: "Police are investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale in the early hours of this morning. Police can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital." A spokesperson for the hospital subsequently told local media that Ryder was in intensive care.
A post on New Zealand Cricket's official Twitter read: "Thoughts are with [Jesse] Ryder this morning."
New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor added: "Thinking of you mate [Jesse] Ryder." Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, wrote on his Twitter page: "Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to [Christchurch] to see him."
White, Peter Clinton from Cricket Wellington, Heath Mills from the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association and Klee are currently flying to Christchurch to assist.
Before embarking on his sabbatical from international cricket last year, Ryder was dropped from New Zealand's ODI side after breaking team protocols concerning alcohol and in 2008, again in Christchurch, he injured his hand when putting it through a glass window after a drinking session.
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