New Zealand and former Ireland cricketer Jesse Ryder is in an induced coma after being seriously hurt in a fight outside a bar.
The all-rounder is in a critical condition after the attack, which followed a domestic one-day game in Christchurch.
The 28-year-old all-rounder was admitted to Christchurch Hospital in the early hours of the morning having suffered multiple injuries including, according to reports, a fractured skull.
According to police, Ryder was involved in an altercation with up to three people outside Aikmans bar in the suburb of Merivale shortly after 12.30am local time.
He was then assaulted by one of the group who followed him towards the car park of a nearby McDonald’s, police said.
“The hospital advise that Jesse is in a critical condition,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said. “He is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries.
“It was an initial incident involving at least two to three people. As Jesse has gone towards the car park at McDonald’s he’s been followed by two of the three people, we believe, and one of those two has assaulted Jesse.”
He added: “It appears Jesse has been the victim of a serious assault and has suffered head injuries as a result.”