Ryder ruled out for Black Caps

Hard-hitting batsman Jesse Ryder has been ruled out of contention for New Zealand's Test series against England after injuring his right hand during an incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ryder, who has a history of disciplinary problems, was an outstanding success in New Zealand's 3-1 one-day series triumph over England.

But while out celebrating the victory in Christchurch, the 23-year-old damaged the index finger and thumb on his hand when he broke a window at a bar at around 5.30am trying to gain access to a toilet area which had been accidentally locked.

He was operated on in Christchurch and is expected to be sidelined for three months, ruling him out of contention for the three-Test series against England just as he was becoming a serious candidate for selection.

Ryder will have a reconstruction to the exterior tendon on his index finger, a flap reconstruction and a skin graft and it will be around six weeks before he can start light training, much to the Black Caps` disappointment.

"We recognise the pressure Jesse has been under through his success in the England series and he has suddenly become a high profile international player," said New Zealand Cricket's general manager Lindsay Crocket.

"However, this behaviour is unacceptable and we will have a serious discussion with him to ensure situations like this do not occur in the future.

"Jesse had shown increasing maturity during the England series and we had been happy with his behaviour up to this point. However in light of this event we shall ensure additional support is provided to Jesse."

Ryder, man-of-the-match in only his second one-day international against England at Hamilton, has a history of run-ins with authority, most notably when he refused to play for New Zealand A last year and failed to turn up for a World Cup training camp.

But his performances during the recent one-day series thrust him a call-up to the Test side and a possible place on the tour to England starting in April.