BLACKCAPS batsman Jesse Ryder is expected to be out of cricket for three months after injuring his right hand.
Ryder damaged the index finger and thumb on his hand when he broke a window at the Stock Exchange bar trying to gain access to a toilet area that had been accidentally locked. The incident happened at 5.30am.
He was scheduled to be operated on in Christchurch Hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Ryder requires a reconstruction to the exterior tendon on his index finger, a flap reconstruction and a skin graft. It is expected to be six weeks before he can start light training and up to three months before he can resume playing competitively, so long as there are no complications.
Lindsay Crocker, BLACKCAPS general manager, said New Zealand Cricket and the team are disappointed in Ryder’s behaviour and viewed this incident seriously.
“We recognise the pressure Jesse has been under through his success in the England series and he has suddenly become a high profile international player. However, this behaviour is unacceptable and we will have a serious discussion with him to ensure situations like this do not occur in the future.
“Jesse had shown increasing maturity during the England series and we had been happy with his behaviour up to this point. However in light of this event we shall ensure additional support is provided to Jesse.
“We have team behavioural protocols which are monitored by the group as a whole and this system has served us well for the past four years. The incident will be worked through when we next assemble to see whether there is anything which should be improved,” he said.
“Ryder will pay for the damage and apologise to the bar owner. No further disciplinary action will be taken as Jesse’s injuries should serve as enough of a lesson on this occasion.”
