It’s 1996. ‘How bizarre’ is top of the charts. The All Blacks have finally conquered the Springboks in a South African series. I am ten years old. These are fun and innocent times.
The bleak day at the Basin Reserve dampens my spirit, but only temporarily. The rain won’t last. Wellington versus Canterbury in the Shell Cup will eventually start.
My mates and I loiter around, waiting for the skies to clear. This is a forlorn hope. It’s really damp, but we are determined to see the sun.
To kill time before the official and inevitable abandonment, we play cricket with a tennis ball in the old stand.
I am not much of a batsman. In high school, I recorded my own stats, finishing with an average of 3.9. If I used the full face I might have reached four.
This day is different. I launch into an extravagant cover drive. I make hefty contact and dispatch the ball onto the ground below. It takes the bowler ten minutes to retrieve. He has to sneak past security, as the field is cordoned off. I loudly boast about my shot, pretending to be my hero Chris Cairns.
The ground announcer interrupts: “Ladies and gentlemen, regrettably the umpires have agreed the match will be abandoned without a ball being bowled.”
We trudge towards the exit. I am armed with a poster and a vivid. I hope some of the players might emerge so I can collect an autograph.
Underneath the RA Vance stand I instantly recognise Cairns. There is he! So tall and dashing.
I nervously approach him and politely inquire for a signature. He snatches my pen and all he says is, “These fucking kids ruin these posters.”
No hello. No how are you, just an expletive and a scribble. What arrogance!
Cairns is quickly demoted from hero to zero in my eyes. When I get home I break down in Mum’s arms.
For three years, I hiss violently at the television whenever Cairns appears. It’s immature, but why was I treated with such contempt?
January 19, 1999. New Zealand is playing India in the fifth and final one-day international at Jade Stadium, Christchurch. The Black Caps must win to tie the series.
Cairns starts batting steadily, before exploding, plundering 115 from 80 balls. The Indian bowling attack resembles the construction site at the ground. They are decimated. Suddenly Cairns is my friend again and would remain so for some time.
Later that year he helps New Zealand win their first ever Test series in England.
In 2000, at the ICC tournament in Nairobi, he makes a century as New Zealand enjoy their first one-day international tournament success.
In 2001 against South Africa, he belts 7 sixes while making his highest Test score, 158. The pugnacious Proteas are humbled.
In March 2004, he becomes just the sixth man in Test history to achieve an all-rounder’s double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs in Tests. That is class with a capital C.
In March 2012, Cairns successfully sues former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi for libel, after Modi posted on Twitter in 2010 that Cairns had been involved in match-fixing during 2008. He wins costs and damages and retained my respect.
In December 2015, Cairns is cleared of perjury in a London court and, by implication, is cleared of match-fixing allegations. My respect for him, however, is tenuous.
There wasn’t enough evidence to totally prove he was guilty, which might mean he is innocent, but why would nine internationals risk their reputations and integrity if Cairns is completely innocent?
Why was New Zealand cricket so reluctant to support Cairns, one of their genuine champions?
Furthermore: is Brendon McCullum’s sporting reputation and position as New Zealand skipper tenable?
Will this verdict prevent other players from coming forward and reporting their concerns or suspicions?
Will Lou Vincent now face criminal prosecution?
So much doubt, but for now Cairns can be as smug as he was to me in 1996.
lyndaluvscricket
Guest
read Glen Turner's article on stuff yesterday - sets out exactly what nz cricket must do I believe - then look at seb coe's disasterous dilemma in athletics in England-
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
phil finally you answered the question. That is what you could have written at the beginning instead of the snide innuendo. I have an issue when people write or speak of other people in this manner without fronting with detail. That’s what you did and hence my question – “what are you implying”. And just a small point. I said your sarcasm was unworthy of a response, not that you are unworthy.
ads2600
Guest
Brian Williams did that to me, during a RollerMills rugby tournament but without getting the signature. My father went over to him & with one hand grabbed him around the scruff of the neck, lifted him off the ground and demanded an apology. Brian apologised and then gave me the signature. I still dislike BJ to this day
Geoff Parkes
Expert
What a cracking slur against everyone involved in the racing industry!! Incredible.
phast phil
Guest
Sorry ClarkeG, I enjoyed my sarcasm, let me know how I can improve it. Of course let me know immediately, and without fear or favour because that is meeting your expectations. I am not worthy, but one day, I can only dream. I have an issue with someone that reports corruption 3 years later on their own terms, who is seen as a darling of fair play and held up to be above reproach by sections of the cricket world. You may not agree with me, and I frankly do not care if you don't, but it is a disappointment.
lyndaluvscricket
Guest
I think I was surprised that the commentators thought it newsworthy in the light of the trial going on and it was news to me. My only point here is an honourable man would have reported immediately not three years later - he let himself down by not doing that.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
A civil case has a lower burden of proof, so is more likely to be successful.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Lynda You imply that any person that gambles or is involved in racehorse ownership is somehow of less character than one who is not. What utter nonsense. I ‘m sure you will find that McCullam’s involvement in the racehorse industry extends way beyond having the odd bet. His business interests include developing a significant involvement in breeding and racing horses.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
to Riccardo - lol very good. That reminded me also of when tennis star John McEnroe infamously said to the umpire ..."answer my question - the question jerk". McEnroe was rather more vociferous than the scene in the Matrix however.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
phil your sarcasm is not worthy of response other than to say you still have not answered my question - a fair question - in regard to your original snide comment towards Brendan McCullum.
Riccardo
Guest
Read Reason's article on Stuff. Actually Bobbo there are other journalists taking that tack. I don't buy it either but that's the editorial that is circulating; there are even some on these pages. Vincent's instability along with the fact he is already outed counted against him for sure; like you I think there is truth in his testimony.
lyndaluvscricket
Roar Rookie
no denying most cricketers do wonderful charity works including Chris Cairns - just wondering why Cairns the only one taken to Court by the cricket gods in admin - where were the 9 witnesses when the libel case was running - surely that was the time to come forward - if anyone knows I would love to hear
bigbaz
Roar Guru
care factor. zero
Tigranes
Guest
It just means that the mugs owning horses are likely to be losing money...
Bobbo7
Guest
How is McCullum's credibility diminished? He gave evidence and there is no indication he lied. I cannot think of any reason why McCullum would make this up. As for Vincent, his mental health issues made him an easy to disregard witness in Court, even though he is probably telling the truth.
Riccardo
Guest
As Neo said to the Architect: "You still haven't answered the question."
Riccardo
Guest
You should probably work on your grammar and punctuation if you want your denigration to resonate.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Lynda, I don't think that really matters. There are plenty of sports people that go to the races or own race horses, doesn't mean there is anything sinister. McCullum names all his bats after racehorses and the one that Starc broke was named Black Caviar. Apparently he offered to give that bat to the owners on the condition that he could have a meet and greet with the mighty mare and they said yes. I think that is great and I don't see anything wrong with people being passionate about anything.
Riccardo
Guest
He was a hero of mine too Adam. That fluid action and bludgeoning blade. He was stylish, quick and strong and apart from injury could have been one of the great all-rounders; maybe it was the Steinies but I had a tear in my eye when he retired. That Vincent's (and his wife's) testimony were so ably dismantled is the obvious hinge, along with a lack of a direct paper-trail, on which the jury's decision obviously rested. I argue that this is as much a shame as the corrupt activity itself. While a conviction would have been a negative outcome for Cairns at least this could be put to bed and the perceived stain on cricket and NZ Cricket, in particular, may have been limited to his and his associates' culpability. Instead, by virtue of our Legal system, we are left wondering and speculating. McCullum's credibility is diminished and we even have Mark Reason touting his business affairs as a potential conflict of interests in the Captain's decision making around this process. Vincent cast as the puppet-master is just ludicrous. How can that many credible players' accounts be so easily dismissed? While a point of Law has conspired to set Cairns free here (I can't see Modi being successful in a civil challenge now) I think it would be naive to accept the ruling as fact and Cairns, in his strutting arrogance, continues to damage the game in the country he played for. His poor Dad. He is no hero of mine...
lyndaluvscricket
Roar Rookie
to throw a spanner in the works whilst watching the 3rd test on tv we were surprised to hear from the cricket commentators that BMac is a renowned punter racehorse owner and betting man - as is punter Ponting and most of the sporting fraternity - how well does that sit with the clean skin persona we are fed regarding sporting stars - perhaps the true refection on sporting governance or lack thereof