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Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns faces a bumper barrage of misfortunes, hits them all for a 6
Former New Zealand captain Chris Cairns was widely recognised as the best all-rounder in the game during the course of his career. In the year 2000, he was named as one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year. He has appeared in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments on four occasions in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003 and was a member of the New Zealand team that won the 2000 ICC trophy. It was the first time that the Kiwis won an ICC trophy, and he had a major role in the final with an unbeaten 102 and scored the winning run.
But Cairns is also one of the unluckiest players in international cricket and his life has been dogged by misfortune. The story of his life has been a tale of cruel fate dogging his footsteps and hitting him blow after blow throughout the course of his life.
His tale of misery began in 1993 when his sister Louise died in a train accident at a level crossing at Rolleston near Christchurch. Both are children of Lance Cairns, another famous cricketer who donned the black cap from 1974 to 1985.
Chris Cairns has now decided to give back to the sport by helping young cricketers and coaching them
Thereafter Chris Cairns began to be constantly bugged by minor and major injuries. It is estimated that he missed at least 55 Test matches due to his injuries. These ranged from stress fractures, torn calf muscles, kidney ailments and a ruptured spleen. After he had retired from playing, his calamities multiplied.
He also had to deal with a match-fixing allegation by teammate Lou Vincent, which could never be proved. Another Kiwi player Brandon McCullum made similar accusations but nothing could be proved in court. Later when the then IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi posted similar views on social media, Cairns sued Modi for defamation and won the case, but Modi pleaded bankruptcy to avoid paying the fine.
Cairns suffers massive heart attack in 2021
In 2021, Chris Cairns suffered a massive heart attack, and he was put on life support. His condition was so serious that even the top heart surgeons in the country felt that he would not survive long. His financial situation was not sound, but well-wishers collected funds and sent him for further treatment to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney where he was admitted to the ICU.
While undergoing a medical procedure, the bedridden Cairns suffered a stroke which paralyzed him from the waist down. But Cairns had the mentality of a fighter. Even with a mountain of odds piled up against him, his mind remained strong. He knew that he would have to fight it out and he did so confidently.
Chris Cairns faced many problems on the domestic front too
After a month in hospital, he eventually improved to such an extent that he was discharged and advised to take treatment at home. The player went back home. Little did he know that fate had another shock waiting for him.
Another shock for Cairns in the form of cancer, still considers himself blessed
During a routine hospital check-up last year, he was told that he had developed bowel cancer. As soon as he recovered from the initial shock, Cairns posted on social media: “I was told that I have bowel cancer…big shock and not what I was expecting. As I prepare for another round of conversations with surgeons and specialists, I keep remembering how blessed I am to have done so much in my life.”
He faced many problems on the domestic front too. He was married three times, but all three marriages failed. In 2023, he separated from his third wife Melanie. However, she continued to support him in his battles with different illnesses.
Despite all troubles, cheerful Cairns is grooming youngsters
Cairns revealed recently that he was close to death during his heart surgery. But despite all the troubles he has had, his spirit remains high. The former Kiwi star has now decided to give back to the sport by helping young cricketers and coaching them, even though he has to use a wheelchair or crutches. He has created a bowling machine after noticing young cricketers struggling to keep the ball straight. “I just want the game to be enjoyed. I want the parents to be more engaged. We want the kids to choose cricket as the game to play every summer,” said Cairns.
Despite all the setbacks and the harsh blows that he has been dealt, the cricket legend retains the confident spirit that made him a great player
So, despite all the setbacks and the harsh blows that he has been dealt, the cricket legend retains the confident spirit that made him a great player. Nowadays he is a mentor to dozens of young boys and girls who play games. His fans are hoping that Cairns will eventually conquer the dreaded disease like he had overcome so many opponents on the cricket field.