Jesse Ryder dropped from New Zealand Test squad

Troubled batsman Jesse Ryder has been dropped from New Zealand’s squad for the second Test against India as New Zealand Cricket probes his involvement in late night drinking.

Ryder and fast bowler Doug Bracewell, who were both members of the first Test squad, were reported to have

Been drinking at Auckland bars in the early hours of Thursday morning on the first day of the Test match .

Bracewell arrived at Eden Park for the opening day with a broken bone in his foot and the cause of the injury occurred has yet to be explained. He has also been omitted from the second Test squad on fitness grounds.

NZC was expected on Monday to announce the outcome of its investigation into the drinking involving Bracewell and Ryder, but that has now been delayed.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson faced questions about Ryder and Bracewell at a press conference on Monday, a day after New Zealand completed a 40-run win over India in the first Test at Eden Park. The second Test starts at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Friday.

“The fact that we’ve won a test match yesterday and the fact the first few questions are based around off-field incidents is clearly an extreme disappointment for the team,” Hesson said. “It takes away from a superb effort over the last four days.

“We need to make sure that all our players prepare themselves accordingly for test cricket and at the moment we don’t have confidence that that’s the case.”

Hesson would not comment on the likely outcome of the NZC investigation or any sanctions Ryder and Bracewell might face. The New Zealand coach is due to name a squad for the world Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh on Sunday but will have to await the outcome of the investigation before deciding whether Ryder will be included.

Thursday’s alleged late night infraction comes two years after Ryder and Bracewell were sanctioned after becoming involved in an altercation with bar patrons in Napier after a one-day international against South Africa.

Ryder made himself unavailable for New Zealand for the next 22 month as he tackled personal and fitness issues, including a continuing battle with alcohol.

During his absence from international cricket, Ryder was suspended for six months for failing a doping test after using a weight loss remedy which contained two banned substances.

In March last year he was assaulted outside a Christchurch bar and was placed an induced coma while recovering from serious head and lung injuries.

Ryder returned to the New Zealand team for its one-day series against the West Indies in December and January, and was widely praised for having turned his life around.

In 2008 he suffered a hand injury when he punched a toilet window in a Christchurch bar and he has been punished for arriving late for training sessions and team meetings.

Bracewell missed last year’s home Test series against England after cutting his feet on broken glass while cleaning up at home after a party.