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Jesse Ryder dives to stop a boundary in 2007. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
midnight attack

Former Ireland cricketer in intensive care following fast food fracas

Kiwi all-rounder Jesse Ryder is reported to have suffered a fractured skull after he was set upon in Christchurch, NZ.

NEW ZEALAND ALL-ROUNDER Jesse Ryder, who represented Ireland as an ‘overseas’ player in 2007, is in a critical condition following an attack in Christchurch last night.

TVNZ is reporting that Ryder, capped 77 times by his native country, was assailed outside a fast food outlet on Papanui Road in the early hours of the morning.

The New Zealand broadcaster reports that up to four people were involved in the fracas, which occurred shortly after midnight [11am Irish time].

He was rushed to Christchurch Hospital and is understood to have suffered a fractured skull.

The 28-year-old represented Ireland in the summer of 2007  in competitions such as the Friends Provident Trophy. Cricket Ireland expressed their sympathies on Twitter:

Ryder is known in the cricketing world as a handy bowler and a destructive boundary-hitting batsman.

He excels in the shortened form of the game, 20 and 50-over matches, and has five international centuries to his name.

The Wellington native was due to fly out to India on Thursday to start his €400,000 contract in the Indian Premier League with the Delhi Daredevils.

Ryder made his boxing debut last year, defeating radio host Mark Watson by TKO in a charity bout.

Earlier this year he expressed an interest in taking on former England cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff in the ring.

Police in Christchurch are due to hold a press conference in the coming hours.

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