View photos: NZ v England, fifth one-dayerKEY POINTS:
There is quiet confidence that the career of fallen New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder won't be ended by the self-inflicted damage he suffered to his hand.
New Zealand team manager Lindsay Crocker said medical staff had shown an "element of concern" before the opening batsman underwent surgery at Christchurch Hospital yesterday afternoon.
They feared the injury - caused when Ryder put his hand through a window when trying to gain access to a locked Christchurch bar toilet early yesterday - could impact on his career.
Crocker said surgeon Howard Klein had outlined the risk involved after Ryder seriously damaged the index finger and thumb.
"There's a slight risk he won't be able to flex either the thumb or forefinger and that would affect the grip," said Crocker, pointing out that would have a major impact for any batsman.
However, Crocker added that there was an air of confidence following the operation yesterday afternoon.
"The surgeon was a little cagey on that," he told Radio Sport.
"He said it went well in that crucial area of the forefinger and he seems to think he'll recover full function there."
If he does recover, Ryder, 23, is expected to miss three months of cricket, removing him from the remainder of the domestic season with Wellington and ruling him out of contention for New Zealand's tour of England.
Crocker remained hugely disappointed by Ryder's actions, surprised it had come so soon after an internal team debrief of their one-day series win over England in which Ryder had starred on debut.
"Within the group, he was congratulated after the match for the way he had conducted himself throughout this extraordinary period of a month," Crocker said.
"He's been through a roller-coaster. He started off with a great deal of criticism about his selection and his physique.
"He put all those to bed with the way he played, and turned it around completely to the point where he became a folk hero.
"I've never really seen anyone go through that range of emotions so quickly."
Crocker said it was noticeable how much Ryder had matured and the level of enjoyment he was getting in the new environment.
"He had made enormous strides and we thought he had shown great maturity in this new-found position of his.
"He was playing a hell of a well for us as well.
"Then to undo it all the next morning...
"I'm disappointed by Jesse and disappointed for him. That's the overriding emotion at the moment."
Crocker visited Ryder at hospital before yesterday's operation and said his demeanour was subdued.
"He was in a pretty bad way at A and E yesterday. He had lost a lot of blood and was on a drip," Crocker said.
"He was pretty quiet. He knows what he's done and he knows it's entirely self-inflicted and he's hoping as we all are that he doesn't pay too high a price for this."
Crocker said Ryder would pay for the damage caused and apologise to the bar owner.
No further disciplinary action would be taken as the injuries "should serve as enough of a lesson on this occasion."
- NZPA
