Kiwi batsman Ryder warned against boxing in charity event due to existing head injury

A neuropsychologist has warned big-hitting New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder not to box in a charity event because of his existing head injury.

Ryder is due to take on Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater in Christchurch on March 28 as the celebrity element of Sky Arena's Super 8 Cruiserweight tournament.

Two years ago Ryder was attacked in the early hours of the morning outside a Christchurch bar and rushed to intensive care with a suspected fractured skull and a serious lung injury. The cricketer was placed in an induced coma for 56 hours, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Neuropsychologist Ron Dick revealed that it could be unwise for Ryder to get into a boxing ring. He said that the brain's already been compromised with an earlier injury and if there's then further concussive-type injuries it creates additional cumulative damage to what might have already been sustained.

However, Ryder revealed he was not concerned, saying that he would probably have a medical and see how he pulls up, but added that at this stage he is fine.

Three years ago Ryder managed to knock out radio presenter Mark Watson in a charity-boxing bout, the report added.