Chris Cairns: A life with Less diamonds, more obstacles

Wild-haired and 6'2'', Chris Cairns was an unmissable Marco Pierre White type of figure on the cricket field in the 1990s. He also performed a role that matched his colourful personality — an all-rounder. In his day, the son of former cricketer Lance Cairns could produce match winning knocks or bowling spells. Cairns is one of only 12 players in Test history to complete the all-rounder’s double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs. Arguably though, his most memorable hour was in one-day cricket — the 2000 ICC KnockOut (Champions Trophy) final in Nairobi. New Zealand were the underdogs in the contest against India, with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in their pomp. But Cairns scored an unbeaten 102 and New Zealand registered their first major one-day success.

However, victories have been few for Cairns in life after cricket. He has tried a few things, including commentary and diamond trading. But he also has match-fixing allegations and two failed marriages against his name. He did end up on the winning side in a defamation case against Lalit Modi, getting Rs 90 lakh approx in damages. But he has his own legal bills to pay. Last heard, Cairns was driving trucks and cleaning bus shelters for Rs 1,000 approx an hour.