Daredevils’ Jesse Ryder critical after deadly assault in NZ

Jesse Ryder became victim of an apparently unprovoked assault outside a bar in Christchurch

The night before he was to leave New Zealand to join the Delhi Daredevils,batsman Jesse Ryder became the victim of an apparently unprovoked assault outside a bar in Christchurch,which has left him battling for life in an induced coma.

Ryder,28,has a fractured skull and several other injuries. At a news conference on Thursday,police said he was attacked twice after he left the Aikmans bar shortly after midnight. Two or three people first attacked him outside the bar,and he was then followed across the road to the car park of a McDonalds where a second,more serious,assault took place.

Reports quoted Ryders Wellington Firebirds teammates as saying he had not suffered brain damage. He was with teammates at the bar,but the others apparently did not realise he was being assaulted until it was too late.

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New Zealand Television Network quoted a witness as saying that Ryder was punched to the ground and kicked while on the ground for about 10 seconds. She said there was a lot of blood,and that his shirt had been ripped off. Witnesses said no weapon appeared to have been used.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the attack sounds quite sinister to me.

International cricketers from around the world lent support through Twitter messages and prayers. Daredevils mentor T A Sekar said the team was praying for his recovery.

The hard-hitting batsman,who was signed for $ 300,000 by Daredevils,has a history of discipline- and alcohol-related issues. He had chosen not to play for New Zealand over the past year after he was pulled up for being out drinking while carrying an injury.