New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder has begun "interacting with his family" after being placed in an induced coma following an attack in Christchurch.

The 28-year-old suffered a number of injuries including a fractured skull when he was approached by men in the early hours of Thursday morning in an "unprovoked" assault.

"Jesse is in a stable condition in intensive care," the Daily Mail quotes New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive Heath Mills as saying.

"He has been responsive and has been interacting with his family and the medical team. Jesse is still in an induced coma and still needing support with breathing following an injury to his lungs.

"In terms of a head injury, it cannot be fully determined at this stage what the effects of a knock to Jesse's head are. We will know more once he comes out of the coma."

A 20-year-old man and 37-year-old man have been charged with assault and will appear in court on April 4.