Chris Cairns – from being one of the best all-rounders in cricket to now reportedly cleaning bus shelters. Unfortunately, that seems to be the reality for former New Zealand star Cairns, who has been forced into some hard labour in order to provide for his family.
Cairns, who has been the focus of a spot-fixing storm, is now struggling to support his family as legal expenses over the claims of match-fixing continue to mount, according to a local newspaper in New Zealand, forcing him to work at just $17 an hour.
"He's trying really hard and supporting his family the best way he can," Cairns' former teammate Dion Nash told the New Zealand Herald. "He's not moping around, he's showing guts and doing hard work by cleaning bus shelters.
"All I can do is support him, but as a friend it is really hard to watch his name being dragged through the mud with no conclusion in sight. He's a champion guy and he will come through this stronger."
Another former teammate Lou Vincent came out and admitted to spot-fixing/match-fixing during his career, while also pointing his finger at a "Mr X" believed to be Cairns. Current New Zealand stalwart Brendon McCullum has also reportedly accused Cairns of trying to rope him in for spot-fixing.
However, Cairns has steadfastly denied all charges and continues to wage his battle in court and otherwise to clear his name.
Cairns is also facing perjury charges in the UK after Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the news last week.
"We can confirm that we have authorised police to charge Chris Cairns with one count of perjury, which arises from a libel trial held in the UK in March 2012," a spokeswoman said.
"We have also authorised police to charge Andrew Fitch-Holland with one count of perverting the course of justice, which arises from actions taken relating to the same trial. Both suspects will be formally charged by police in due course."
Cairns won a libel case against former IPL supremo Lalit Modi in 2012 over a 2010 Twitter message and reports that the former New Zealand cricketer was involved in spot-fixing during the now defunct Indian Cricket League.
