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Cricket

New Zealand opener out of Test series after bar incident

24/02/2008

New Zealand opener Jesse Ryder has been ruled out of the Test series against England after injuring his right hand in a late-night incident at a bar.

Ryder has had disciplinary problems before after refusing to play for New Zealand A and failing to go to a World Cup training camp.

However he has earned rave reviews following his performances in the recent one-day series and even won man-of-the-match honours in the second ODI.

The incident is reported to have occurred at a bar in Christchurch on Sunday at 05:30 local time (Saturday 16:30 GMT) where Ryder damaged his index finger and thumb breaking a window while trying to gain access to a locked toilet.

New Zealand cricket confirmed the extent of Ryder's injury in a statement: "Ryder requires a reconstruction to the exterior tendon on his index finger, a flap reconstruction and a skin graft."

The batsmen is expected to be out of action for three months so could be available to tour England this summer.

Lindsay Crocker, the Black Caps' general manager, admitted that Ryder's disciplinary record needed addressing but felt the injury itself was enough punishment for now.

He said: "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."

Ryder averaged 49 in his five innings during the one-day series with a highest score of 79.