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| February 27, 2008 | Wednesday | Safar 19, 1429 |
Troubled Ryder apologises for misbehaviour
CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand), Feb 26: Troubled New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder apologised on Tuesday for a series of alcohol-fuelled incidents which have left him injured and out of international play for at least three months.
Ryder, 23, seriously injured his right hand when he punched a glass panel at a Christchurch bar early on Sunday morning. Eye witnesses later said Ryder abused the staff and demanded preferential treatment when his injury was tended at the Christchurch Hospital later that day.New Zealand Cricket was still coping with the fallout from those stories when it learned Ryder had been out drinking until 1:30am on the night before New Zealand's final One-day International against England here on Saturday.
Those incidents, which add to an already chequered disciplinary record, have now placed Ryder's international future in jeopardy. The stocky opening batsman held a press conference on Tuesday to publicly apologise for his behaviour, at which he promised to mend his ways.
“I'll be doing everything in my power to get my attitude sorted out, to get back on to the international stage,” he said. “It's been a goal of mine all my life and to get a taste of (international cricket). I enjoyed it more than anything in the world.
“I'm not happy with my behaviour and I'll be working with (New Zealand Cricket) support staff to deal with those issues.”
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said his organization would be working closely with Ryder to improve his behaviour.
“Jesse is a very special cricketing talent,” Vaughan said. “We've seen in the series against England that he has the potential to be a fantastic Black Cap and a truly world-class cricket player.”
Vaughan said while he was sure Ryder has learned a lot of lessons through his latest episode, his late night drinking before a match could not be condoned.
“His behaviour before and the night after the One-day International in Christchurch was unacceptable,” he said. “This has been made very clear to him.”—AP
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