Hitched New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has been admitted in a hospital in a serious condition after suffering brutal head injuries in a clash outside a bar here.
The 28-year-old was assaulted by two or three people when he was leaving Aikman's Bar late last night in the suburb of Merivale. The Christchurch Police disclosed that this is the second time the cricketer has been attacked. Jesse Ryder is placed in intensive care unit with a fractured skull and is in an induced coma due to multiple injuries.
Ryder was assaulted first when he was outside the bar along with his Wellington teammates after their team suffered a semi final defeat in the domestic one-day competition earlier in the day. The police believe that a bare minimum of two people pursued him across the road to the parking area of a fast-food restaurant. This is where the second attack took place. His two teammates who left the bar with him were still inside the restaurant when he was attacked for a second time.
In a statement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has expressed sorrow over Ryder's critical condition. NZC chief executive David White conveyed that they are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. He added that New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family. The New Zealand Players Association (NZPA) was also in shock over the attack. The CEO of the NZPA Heath Mills revealed that apparently the cricket community is very much shocked at the incident. He is evidently in a serious condition. It is a gloomy day for them. A number of players around the country are in shock while the association’s focus now is on Jesse and his well-being.
According to sources, Ryder was on a self-imposed break from international cricket since 2012. Ryder last played for New Zealand in an ODI against South Africa in February 2012. He was reproached after that match for breaking team rules by drinking alcohol while recuperating from injury. Ryder then made himself unavailable to play for New Zealand by refusing a national contract to deal with alcohol and fitness issues. Later on, he engaged a clinical psychologist to help him out in dealing with those problems.
Ryder was supposed to join the Delhi Daredevils later this week before the start of the IPL season six. The Delhi franchise had compensated with $ 260000 for his services in the latest IPL players' auction. Jesse Ryder was supported by his manager and psychologist to India for the IPL where he played for the Sahara Pune Warriors in 2012.