Ryder's manager Aaron Klee today said that Ryder is awake and talking in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit.
Ryder had been in a medically-induced coma with a fractured skull and serious internal injuries including a collapsed lung after being assualted outside a Christchurch Bar early Thursday morning.
''Naturally we are absolutely thrilled with the progress,'' his manager Aaron Klee told a press conference this afternoon.
"Jesse is awake and talking to us, but he is obviously still working through the immediate effects from being in the coma and the drugs the medical team have been using."
"This is only the start of the recovery process for Jesse and there is still a big battle ahead to full health, but the progress is positive."
Two men - one aged 37 and the other a 20-year-old relative - have been arrested and charged with his assault.
The two attackers are to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said police tracked the 20-year-old after finding the taxi driver who took him home after the attack.
The older man was identified after investigations that included reviewing security camera film of the incident, and speaking to witnesses.
Police were still appealing to witnesses to come forward.
Both men are reportedly now out on bail.
Mr Archer said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the attack.
Earlier reports of up to four people being involved were incorrect.
He said witnesses may have thought bystanders who stepped in to help Ryder were involved in the attack.
Ryder's manager and friend, Aaron Klee, said it was good news when Ryder started responding to family members while in varying states of sedation, but the whole affair had been "awful".
"He's laying there with tubes everywhere ..." he said.
Doctors were trying to keep Ryder in a stable state so his body could recover from the injury. He was likely to remain in an induced coma for some time.
"That's been the important thing, keeping him steady," said an emotional Mr Klee.
He said the messages of support being sent to Ryder from all around the world were "wonderful" and had helped the family cope.
The girlfriend of Jesse Ryder last night told an emotional candle-lit vigil of the cricket star's signs of recovery.
About 40 people stood outside Christchurch Hospital in support of Ryder.
His girlfriend, Ally, came out to speak to the gathering. At times emotional, she spoke about Ryder's recovery.
"There's nothing you can do ... I feel quite protective because he is so vulnerable."
She said Ryder was extremely drowsy, but was turning himself over and nodding when spoken to.
She also thanked organisers of the vigil, saying: "It's very kind."
Members of the public mixed at the vigil with friends of Ryder's as well as cricket peers, including members of the Canterbury Wizards who played against Ryder's Wellington Firebirds hours before the attack.
Ally told them she knew little about the police investigation.
"It's just a matter of waiting for it all to come out," she said.
Ryder's family earlier described the attack as a "heinous crime".
The star batsman showed positive signs of progress yesterday, giving his neurosurgeon a thumbs up from his hospital bed after his sedation levels had been lowered.
Shortly after police announced they had found Ryder's alleged attackers, his mother Heather told media that the last few days had been "an extremely difficult time".
She rushed to his bedside after learning about the attack, which happened outside the Aikmans bar in Merivale just before 1am on Thursday.
Ryder's Wellington teammates were updated on his condition and told the 28-year-old did not have any brain damage.
In a joint statement Mrs Ryder and Ally said their focus was on "getting Jesse better".
"(Also) thank you to the Christchurch police for the great work in bringing the people responsible for the heinous crime committed on our Jesse. Jesse will be chuffed knowing how many people care and have reached out, including the huge number of cricket fans and players from around the world."
Ryder's aunt Sharlene Meyrick also spoke out about the attack.
"What a bunch of cowards to attack a young man who has been through so much already," she wrote on her public Facebook page. "Thanks to them my nephew is lying in hospital fighting for his life and I pray he makes a speedy recovery."
