Ryder in discipline drama

Jesse Ryder © Getty Images

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Jesse Ryder looks certain to miss the chance of playing in back-to-back Test series against England after injuring his hand during a late night drinking spree to celebrate New Zealand's one-day series success.

The hard-hitting opener was given his chance at the highest level for the first time during the one-day series after a series of disciplinary problems had hindered his progress into the New Zealand side.

But after a relatively quiet three weeks on international duty, Ryder cut the thumb and index finger of his right hand breaking a window attempting to gain access to the toilets at a bar at around 5.30am on Sunday morning.

The injuries were so severe he is expected to be sidelined for three months, which has cost him the prospect of making his Test debut in the three-match series starting next month and possibly the prospect of being selected for the tour to England starting in mid-April.

"We're expecting quite a long rehab and it will be six weeks before he can do some physical training again and another six weeks before he can get back to competitive play," confirmed Lindsay Crocker, New Zealand Cricket's general manager.

"It's a bit early to be sure about England, but from what the doctor was saying he will probably miss England.

"I suspect he'd had a few drinks. My information at this time is that he was not uncontrollably drunk but he'd had a few drinks and they'd been out since about 1.30am-2am.

"A few of the guys set off to celebrate the series so he'd been out about three hours by the time of the accident. He'd been with a group of players but my understanding is that the players had returned home and he had carried on with a couple of his friends."

The incident is likely to have an adverse effect on an international career which just appeared to be gaining momentum after a promising one-day series against England.

Ryder, whose disciplinary offences in the past have included refusing to play for New Zealand A and failing to report for last year's World Cup training camp, is not expected to receive further disciplinary action.

Ryder has hard-hitting exploits both on and off the field

But his behaviour may force New Zealand Cricket to look at the behavioural code they have implemented for their leading players in an attempt to avoid incidents just like this.

"It's very disappointing," revealed Crocker. "We have strong protocols in the group and a behavioural code. Jesse was inducted into that like everyone in the team, had been with us a month and had shown exemplary behaviour.

"He handled his rise to stardom really well having come in with a bit of a bad boy reputation and played really well in his first series against quality opposition.

"He has handled himself very well in the group. He has been quiet and respectful and in our review of the series everyone congratulated Jesse on how he had dealt with all the extraordinary adulation he has received, so this is very disappointing."

Crocker added: "I expect there will be no penalty towards Jesse. We believe he's been penalised enough and we want to support him to get it right.

"We'll look to provide any necessary support for Jesse with any problem he may have with alcohol if that is necessary. Our processes we thought were solid but we'll have to look at those again.

"He was making great strides and it's disappointing to take him out of the equation for the Test series. When Jesse comes to full realisation of what's happened it will be particularly disappointing for him."

But Ryder has now been forced to undertake voluntary work after admitting his behaviour towards staff in the emergency department of Christchurch Hospital was inappropriate, following his admission on Sunday morning.

New Zealand Cricket were made aware that Ryder had been rude and demanding to staff attending to his injured hand.

"Jesse will apologise to staff and, after a suggestion from emergency department staff, will carry out voluntary work for the Emergency Care Foundation," revealed Crocker.

"We're 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."