Jesse Ryder attacked in Christchurch, seriously ill in hospital

New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder is reported to be in critical condition in a Christchurch hospital after being attacked in the city on Wednesday.

The reports suggest the hard-hitting batsman is being treated for a fractured skull, a punctured lung and internal bleeding after being set upon by multiple people.

Ryder was in Christchurch playing for the Wellington Firebirds and he had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the day in their 61-run Ford Trophy semi-final defeat at the hands of the Wizards.

He was due to head off to the Indian Premier League soon with the Delhi Daredevils having recently spent NZ$307,000 in their player auction to sign him for the 2013 edition.

The 28-year-old is in a self-imposed exile from international cricket and has not featured for the Black Caps since February 2012, missing the entirety of the recent series with England.

A statement on the New Zealand Police website read: "Police are investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale in the early hours of this morning.

"Police can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital."

Detective senior sergeant Brian Archer explained Ryder was involved in a brief altercation "two or three" people when he left the bar but was then attacked by one of the individuals after he crossed the road to a nearby fast-food outlet.

"The hospital advise he is in a critical condition. He is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries," Archer added.

Ryder, a controversial figure whose career has been plagued by off-field incidents, has played 18 Tests and 39 one-day internationals for the Black Caps.

He has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest score of 201.

New Zealand Cricket revealed its chief executive David White, Peter Clinton from Cricket Wellington, Heath Mills from the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association and Ryder's manager Aaron Klee were flying to Christchurch.

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family," White said.

New Zealand Cricket said the four would likely hold a press conference once

they had ascertained the facts surrounding Ryder's injuries and his current

condition.