Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is on life support in Australia after he encountered a sudden medical episode and collapsed, reported Fox Sports on Tuesday (August 10).

According to the report, Cairns suffered an aortic dissection in Canberra last week, which is a tear inside the body’s main artery.

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The 51-year-old has reportedly gone through a number of operations since the incident but some New Zealand media outlets, including the New Zealand Herald, say he has not responded to the treatment.

The report further says Cairns is due to be transferred to Sydney from Canberra for the superior treatment facility.

Chris Cairns represented New Zealand in 62 Tests, scoring 3320 runs and claiming 218 wickets including 5 centuries and 13 five-wicket hauls.

Cairns also featured in 215 ODIs, aggregating 4950 runs and taking 201 wickets. He was the Player-of-the-Match in Black Caps’ 2000 Champions Trophy final triumph over India.

Chris Cairns’ last appearance for New Zealand was one of his only two T20I games against the West Indies at Auckland in 2006.