Police have charged two men in connection with the assault on the New Zealand all-rounder.
There were good signs for Jesse Ryder and his family as the New Zealand cricketer gave them and hospital staff the thumbs-up.
Ryder had been in a medically induced coma since he was attacked on Thursday in a McDonald’s car park in Christchurch.
The all-rounder suffered a fractured skull and punctured lung from the assault and was described as being in critical condition.
Following his improvement in hospital Ryder’s family have released a statement.
“Jesse will be chuffed knowing how many people care and have reached out, including the huge number of cricket fans and players around the world,” the statement was quoted on news.com.au.
Reports on Sky Sports say that police have charged a 20-year-old man and a 37-year-old man, who are relatives, with the assault on the New Zealander and they will appear in court next Thursday.
Police have confirmed that two to three people attacked Ryder as he left Aikmans bar in Christchurch and then continued the attack as the 28-year-old made his way to the fast food outlet.
Although the Kiwi has had trouble with alcohol before – Ryder was treated for hand injuries in 2008 after trying to break into a bar toilet in the early hours of the morning – police state alcohol was not a factor in this instance.
The all-rounder has been in fine form domestically in the last 12 months and would have played in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils in April had he not been assaulted.
However, Ryder has been in self-imposed exile from international cricket because of personal issues for over a year.
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