Jesse Ryder in coma after bar brawl

Troubled New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder was in an induced coma with a fractured skull and serious internal injuries on Thursday after being severely beaten as he left a bar in the South Island city of Christchurch, police said. (Getty Images)

Ryder has a history of disciplinary lapses and alcohol-related incidents, but although he had been drinking before the early morning attack police said alcohol was not a factor.

The attack came just days before the talented batsman was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League ( IPL) contract.

The 28-year-old was in a critical condition in hospital, and his family were at his bedside.

Detective senior sergeant Brian Archer said there was a brief altercation involving Ryder and "two or three" people when he stepped outside the bar.