Batsman Jesse Ryder and paceman Doug Bracewell have been suspended from the New Zealand team after an alcohol-fuelled row following a loss to South Africa, officials said.
Published: Mar 02, 2012, 10:28 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 02, 2012, 10:28 AM (IST)
Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell apologised for their actions and said they fully understood the consequences © Getty Images
Wellington: Mar 2, 2012
Batsman Jesse Ryder and paceman Doug Bracewell have been suspended from the New Zealand team after an alcohol-fuelled row following a loss to South Africa, officials said.
Team manager Mike Sandle said the pair went out in Napier after the Black Caps’ six-wicket defeat in the second one-dayer on Wednesday, becoming involved in an argument when they “verbally reacted to taunts from the public”.
Sandle said neither player would be considered for the third and final game of the series in Auckland on Saturday.
“Both players have apologised for their actions and said they fully understood the consequences,” he said in a statement issued late Thursday. “They know they have let down fans and team mates alike.”
Sandle said the pair had broken team protocols by going out drinking, then showed a lack of judgement by becoming embroiled in a row in a hotel.
“Despite the fact that the players were goaded, and they didn’t allow the situation to escalate past a short exchange of words, we expect players to walk away,” he said.
Ryder, who was out for a duck in Wednesday’s match, has a history of disciplinary and fitness problems, with the latest incident also likely to cast doubt on his Test career.
Wellington’s Dominion Post newspaper reported the 27-year-old would not be named in the squad for the first Test against South Africa beginning next week due to a combination of poor form, fitness worries and his behaviour.(AFP)
