The word ‘tragedy’ is thrown around a lot in sport. For once it’s warranted, as New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder was beaten into a coma last night.
Ryder was set upon by four men in an apparently unprovoked attack outside a restaurant in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale.
He is currently in intensive care, with a fractured skull and a range of internal injuries.
Witnesses have all expressed bemusement as to how the bashing began, with a series of punches inside the venue’s courtyard soon spilling over into the street, where Ryder was surrounded, beaten and kicked as he lay on the ground.
One witness was also sure that the attackers knew Ryder’s identity.
The news is devastatingly unfair. Where the Ryder of the past was suspended from the New Zealand several times over alcohol-related incidents, the batsman had taken a sabbatical from international cricket and was trying to address his issues with drinking.
He seemed to have made good progress, with an in-form and happy domestic season, and looked set to come back stronger and better for the Black Caps when his self-imposed exile ended.
He was also set to fly out to India tomorrow to begin his Indian Premier League contract with the Delhi Daredevils under captain Mahela Jayawardene.
Even in the very best-case scenario, the attack will cost Ryder potentially the highest pay-day of his career, with that contract worth over $300,000 New Zealand dollars.
But far more important are the risks to his life, or the quality of it. There is no sign yet whether Ryder will make a recovery, or to what extent he will recover if he can.
With injuries of this nature, a return to elite sport is remote, but even a return to a reasonable level of health may be a distant challenge.
There is little one can say in these circumstances that doesn’t seem trite. Words are helpless against the nature of such attacks, the outrageous presumption of a group of people to actively ruin, in a few short minutes, the life of another.
There are no circumstances in which this sort of mentality should be allowed to prevail. Yet it persists, its gears oiled by a liberal helping of booze.
News reports have speculated over whether Ryder was drinking in the venue, as though this somehow renders him culpable.
It’s the same kind of attitude that has been so deservedly taken apart following the Steubenville trial in the US, where reports of rape are routinely accompanied with descriptions of what the victim had been wearing or drinking.
Victims should never be cast as inviting their own assaults. Full stop.
Had Ryder started a fight, you could imply some culpability. But witness reports don’t give any support to this. And even one man throwing a punch would never invite such a sustained response from four others.
In recent months, Ryder had been maturely managing his own recovery. His story was a source of quiet inspiration to many.
Now, Ryder faces another recovery, one whose outcome lies far less squarely in his own hands. A career is forgotten as a life must first be saved.
A tragedy indeed.
Michelle
Guest
Thanks for the encouraging story Jo, hopefully things will turn out the same way here, certainly the news is a bit better now.
Michelle
Guest
Looks like you're right, I'm glad it didn't take long for someone to speak up.
Michelle
Guest
I don't think you can fault being in a quiet restaurant/bar in the suburbs on a weeknight, with a bunch of teammates, on the last day of the season. Normal life has to continue in some form, even if you're trying to quit.
Hairy McClary
Guest
Hope she's proud...
Hairy McClary
Guest
Yeah you can only hit back in self defence, if you keep going once the danger is gone you're a dog.
Hairy McClary
Guest
Will be interesting what his IPL side does though. A bit of pressure on them not to look bad.
Hairy McClary
Guest
Had a read of that, great news that at least he's woken up and talking! Cricket can be worried about later, just about getting back on his feet hey. Go for it Jess.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
The news is getting much better out of Christchurch. Ryder has now been taken out of his induced coma, is off the ventilator, and has even been able to speak a little to family and friends. His manager released a statement approved by him, and also said that now he's out of intensive care, they won't be releasing further media updates as they look to his recovery. There's some more info here. http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/current/story/627340.html
rishabh
Guest
I hope Ryder gets well soon and continues with his Cricket. I also hope he returns in NZ team for WC (and maybe win it) on home soil Cricket needs such stories...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Tentative good news, thanks Sylvester - some movement and responsiveness, at least. And two arrests made.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
There are inconsistencies, of course. It's less about unequal standards than the fact that comments are not individually moderated, so some things are picked up while others are missed. That's why Roarers are encouraged to report inappropriate comments when they occur.
Sylvester
Guest
The latest: http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/cricket/8485983/Ryder-gives-thumbs-up-from-hospital-bed
Hansie
Guest
Cricinfo has tweeted that Ryder's condition is now stable, though still in an induced coma.
Wii
Guest
Well it's pretty clear those standards are not practised equally throughout the roar and it also depends on who is writing what. Seems the longer you have been around the more derogatory, sarcastic and inflammatory you can be to other roarers.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Information about Jesse Ryder not suffering brain damage did not come from the police, who have sole responsibility for releasing information on his injuries and condition. Ryder suffered a fractured skull, a collapsed lung, and unknown additional injuries. 'Unknown' because his family has refused to allow the police to issue any reports on those injuries.
atlas
Guest
NZ Herald today: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10874260 A man has been arrested in connection with the brutal beating of cricketer Jesse Ryder, police say. In a statement, police said a 20-year-old man was last night interviewed in relation to their involvement with the incident. He was arrested and charged with assault and is to appear in Christchurch District Court next Thursday. Police said they were following "positive lines of inquiry" in relation to another person. Ryder is still fighting for his life this morning after a brutal assault in which his alleged attackers kicked him while he was lying on the ground. The cricket star remains in an induced coma in Christchurch Hospital, with his family and manager by his side, after the attack early yesterday morning. A hospital spokesman told APNZ this morning that his condition was unchanged overnight, with Ryder still in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Scuba
Guest
Good signs, hope they continue to come...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Fantastic, hope for a full recovery. Also hope the Christchurch police catch these mongrels.
Sandy
Guest
That's great news.
JGK
Roar Guru
Sounds like some good news http://tvnz.co.nz/cricket-news/jesse-ryder-does-not-have-brain-damage-team-mates-told-5388795