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Christchurch: New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition in Christchurch Hospital after suffering severe head injuries in a late night assault outside a bar.
Radio New Zealand reported Wednesday that Ryder was in a coma in the intensive care unit with a fractured skull, punctured lung and internal bleeding.
The hospital refused to confirm Ryder's injuries but said his condition was listed as critical. A spokesman for the ambulance service that transported Ryder to hospital said he had suffered "very serious head injuries"
Eye witnesses said Ryder was attacked by four men outside a bar in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale. He was punched and then kicked repeatedly while lying on the ground.
Ryder had been at the bar with teammates from the Wellington cricket team, which played in the semifinals of New Zealand's domestic one-day competition in Christchurch earlier Wednesday.
A witness quoted by Fairfax Media said the attack appeared to be unprovoked and Ryder did not appear intoxicated.
"Four dudes were just laying into him and absolutely smashing him on the ground," the witness said. "His shirt was ripped off and they were kicking him and punching him while he was down."
The manager of the bar where the assault took place, Steve Holmes, said Ryder and his teammates had been drinking quietly. He said footage from the bar's security cameras had been provided to police.
"We are just working in conjunction with the police," he said. "The incident has happened off the premises, outside our licensed area. We are just providing support to police."
Ryder was due to leave New Zealand on Friday to play Twenty20 cricket in the Indian Premier League.
