Ryder's high spirits send hopes for Test place out the toilet window

(GETTY IMAGES)

New Zealand's 3-1 one-day series victory over England came at a price when Jesse Ryder, the Black Caps exciting opening batsman, seriously injured his right hand during a night of excessive celebration. Ryder damaged tendons to his right thumb and index finger after smashing his hand through a toilet window at the Stock Exchange bar in Christchurch at 5.30am on Sunday.

The 23-year-old had reconstructive surgery in Christchurch later in the day and is expected to be out of cricket for three months. Ryder made a big impression during the five match one-day series against England, scoring 196 runs at an average of 49. He scored his runs at almost a run a ball, and for many people it was his and Brendon McCullum's destructive batting at the start of the innings that swayed the series New Zealand's way.

But Ryder was more than a one-day biffer. His technique is very similar to that of Marcus Trescothick and he had an excellent chance of playing in the forthcoming Test series against England.

It is not the first time Ryder has had disciplinary problems. In a fledgling career the overweight but hugely talented batsman has already refused to attend New Zealand training camps before the 2007 World Cup, and last summer failed to turn up for a game with Ireland, who he was representing as an overseas player.

His troubled childhood has been filled with tales of drink and late nights and a very prominent self-destruct button could yet ruin what had seemed to have all the makings of a hugely promising cricket career.