Legendary New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is off life support after going through emergency surgery for a heart problem in Sydney, his lawyer Aaron Lloyd confirmed on Friday (August 20).
“I’m pleased to advise that Chris is off life support and has been able to communicate with his family from hospital in Sydney,” Lloyd said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters.
“He and his family are thankful for all of the support and well wishes from everyone, and for the privacy they have been afforded. They request that this continues as they focus on his recovery moving forward."
According to the reports, Cairns had suffered an aortic dissection in Canberra earlier this month, which is a tear inside the body’s main artery.
Initially, the 51-year-old had surgery in Canberra but the seriousness of his condition required him to be transferred to Sydney’s St Vincent's Hospital, where he underwent another operation.
Chris Cairns represented New Zealand in 62 Tests, scoring 3320 runs and claiming 218 wickets including 5 centuries and 13 five-wicket hauls. He 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.
Cairns’ last appearance for the Black Caps was one of his only two T20I games against the West Indies at Auckland in 2006.
(Inputs from Reuters)
