February 26, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 18, 1429

WELLINGTON, Feb 25: New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will apologise to hospital staff for his unruly behaviour after slashing his hand during a wild night out.

Ryder underwent surgery at Christchurch Hospital on Sunday after cutting his hand on a window at a Christchurch nightclub while celebrating his team’s one-day series win over England.

The 23-year-old had already been told to pay for the damage and apologise to the bar owner and New Zealand Cricket officials said he also owed an apology to the hospital staff for his “rude and demanding” behaviour.

“Jesse will apologise to staff and after a suggestion from Emergency Department staff will carry out voluntary work for the Emergency Care Foundation,” New Zealand Cricket manager Lindsay Crocker said in a statement on Monday.

Ryder is expected to be sidelined for up to three months after slicing his index finger and thumb when he broke a window while trying to gain access to a toilet inside the nightclub.

Ryder only made his international debut this month after being called into the New Zealand squad for the two Twenty20s and five one-dayers against England but made a big impression.

A big hitting batsmen and useful part-time bowler, he scored 196 runs at an average of 49 in the five one-dayers but the injury has ruined his chances of playing in next month’s three-Test series against England.—Reuters