Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns is admitted in the intensive care unit at Sydney Hospital after he underwent a “major medical event” in Canberra.
Cairns, 51, was placed on medical life support after undergoing surgery in the Australian capital.
Wife Melanie’s Statement
His family said he underwent another heart surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
A statement from his wife Melanie has also been released. In he statement she thanked “everyone for their warm wishes, prayers and kind words”.
Considered one of the best players of his generation, Cairns played 62 Tests, 215 international matches and two New Zealand Twenty20 matches between 1989 and 2006 before becoming a television commentator and presenter in the Cricket world.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Expresses Concern
His father Lance also played for the national New Zealand cricket team.
“We are very concerned to hear about Chris Cairns’ medical emergency,” said New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White.
“Our thoughts are with his family in Australia and here in New Zealand. Chris is a much-loved husband, father, and son – and remains one of our finest all-rounders. We hope he’s able to make a full recovery.”
Match Fixing Allegations
After retiring from world cricket, Cairns became the talk of the town for allegedly fixing a match in India as captain of the Chandigarh Lions in the 2008 Indian Premier League.
He has denied any wrongdoing and has fought many legal battles to clear his name, winning a defamation suit against former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi in 2012.
In 2015, he was cleared of perjury and perverting the course of justice at Southwark Crown Court.
