Indisciplined Ryder out for three months

	Jesse Ryder had a fine time with the bat but turned into a concern for New Zealand cricket a day after the series © Getty Images

Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand opener, is expected to be out for action or three months after injuring his right hand following an incident in Christchurch bar at 5.30am on Sunday morning. He has also been ordered to apologise for his behaviour when taken to hospital after he was abusive towards medical staff.

"Jesse will apologise to staff and after a suggestion from emergency department staff will carry out voluntary work for the Emergency Care Foundation," Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager, said. "We are concerned about his behaviour throughout this incident and will put a programme of support around him to help him to try and address these types of issues."

Ryder's injury occurred the morning after New Zealand's series win against England when he was trying to gain access to a toilet area that had been accidentally locked. It later emerged that he was also out drinking until 1.30am on the eve of the game.

He was operated on at Christchurch Hospital on Sunday afternoon. He required 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.

Crocker said New Zealand Cricket and the team were 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," he said. "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."

Ryder smashed 196 runs in the five ODIs against England at an impressive strike-rate of 91.16. "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."

"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."

This isn't the first time Ryder has been in trouble with authority. He refused to play for New Zealand A last year and was sacked by Ireland after failing to turn up for a Friends Provident Trophy match against Surrey.

Ryder was tipped for a Test berth against England but the injury has ruled him out for the entire series and probably the return contest in May.