Alcohol 'not a factor' in Ryder attack

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after reportedly being bashed. Source: AFP

UPDATE: NEW Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after being bashed by up to four men.

The middle-order batsman is understood to have a fractured skull, a punctured lung, internal bleeding and is in intensive care at a Christchurch hospital.

The attack came just days before the talented Ryder was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League contract.

Police said in a statement they were investigating the early morning incident at a bar in Christchurch and "can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital''.

Ryder, who has a history of disciplinary lapses and being involved in alcohol-related incidents, was with members of his Wellington provincial side, the Firebirds, who had earlier been beaten by Canterbury in a 50-over match.

A witness, known only as Adam, told Stuff.co.nz that Ryder had his shirt ripped off and that several men kicked and punched him as he lay on the ground at Aikman's bar in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale.

Ryder was found lying in a bush, "shaking, vomiting and covered in blood" in the carpark of a McDonald's restaurant across the road from the bar.

"Four dudes were just laying into him and absolutely smashing him on the ground," Adam said.

"His shirt was ripped off and they were kicking him and punching him while he was down."

Adam said he was not sure if the attackers were friends of Ryder, but said they "damn knew who he was''.

Ryder's family was reported to be flying to Christchurch to be at his side and New Zealand Cricket tweeted: "The whole NZC team's thoughts are with DijaRyder this morning.''

The burly left-hander's manager Aaron Klee took to Twitter to thank people for their support.

"Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him," Klee wrote.

The 28-year-old Ryder is on a self-imposed break from international cricket to address "personal issues'' following a series of incidents.

However, he was continuing to play in the IPL and was due to fly out to India this weekend to play for the Delhi Daredevils, who paid US$260,000 for his services at an auction.

Last year, he took his manager and a psychologist with him to India when he played for the Pune Warriors.

Ryder last played Test cricket for the Black Caps in 2011 in their series against Australia, and last took to a one-day international field last year against South Africa.

He has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest score of 201.

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Khloe Kardashian fired from X Factor

Khloe Kardashian won't be back as co-host of The X-Factor, as Simon Cowell revamps the struggling comp. Picture: AP Source: AP

KHLOE Kardashian has been axed as co-host by the struggling US version of The X-Factor.

Following in the footsteps of departed judge Britney Spears, Kardashian has not been asked to return to Simon Cowell’s struggling reality TV singing competition, the New York Post reports.

Kardashian, who had no previous hosting experience, often appeared unprepared and nervous on camera, struggling to develop a rapport with super-smooth co-host Mario Lopez and deliver her lines on cue.

Kardashian’s ability to draw fans of Keeping Up With the Kardashians wasn’t enough to overcome her inexperience, said LA hosting coach Marki Costello, who has worked with the US The Voice’s CeeLo Green told the Post.

"It was really hard for me to watch Mario with her,” she said. “It made me, as a viewer, almost uncomfortable.”

“I am sure there was a big percentage of Khloe’s fans who followed her to the X Factor. But at the end of the day, when she doesn’t know what she is doing, are you helping your show or hurting it?”

Lopez has been asked to return, the Post reports, and British pop star and UK X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole may return to the judge's table. Cole is suing the show for $US2.3 million ($2.2 million) after she was dumped just weeks into the US version, and her return could be part of a deal to settle the lawsuit.

“The producers have not yet made the talent decisions for this year,” a X Factor spokesperson said.
 

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