Daniel Vettori recalls shocking actions of Chris Cairns, Ricky Ponting denies spot-fixing knowledge

Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori in action for New Zealand in 2000

The former New Zealand Captain, Daniel Vettori, was in a state of “shock and anger” when he came to know that Chris Cairns had dragged fellow teammate Brendon McCullum into the spot-fixing affair, reports ESPNCricinfo.

"Brendon said Chris Cairns had asked him to spot-fix on two occasions," Vettori told the court, adding that the news had surprised him. "Chris was one of my best friends in cricket, he was a mentor to me," Vettori said. "To feel Brendon was put in that situation ... I was stunned."

Vettori addressed the London court through video conference, where he clarified that McCullum had mentioned Cairns' approach to him along with another team-mate, Kyle Mills, during a New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh in 2010.

Probed about his relationship with Cairns, Vettori stated since Vettori made his debut in 1997, he had looked up to Cairns and Cairns has guided him in every situation, especially in his early years."Chris was one of my best friends in cricket, he was a mentor to me," Vettori said. "To feel Brendon was put in that situation ... I was stunned."

One more incident Vettori brought to mind was of 2006 Champions Trophy in India, where he asked Cairns to buy him a diamond worth US$15,000 as he was planning to get engaged. He mentioned this situation as "innocuous" as the money which was owed to both of them was for a toothpaste promotion and in 2008 Vettori was repaid in cash, £9000 in £20 notes on New Zealand's tour of England.

"It was a fairly innocuous situation, I didn't receive the diamond," Vettori added. "Chris returned the money about two years later."

Ponting denies involvement

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting earlier this week brushed aside suggestions from Brendon McCullum about his presence during one of Chris Cains’ phone call made to him. McCullum had last week revealed Ponting’s presence when providing the details of the spot-fixing approach made by his former national teammate in 2008.

Ponting and McCullum, who had been signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise, were staying together at a hotel in Kolkata preparing for the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the latter received a phone call from Cairns who said he had a "business proposition" to discuss.

The New Zealand wicket-keeper went on to reveal that Cairns was actually referring to the idea of ‘spot-fixing’, but Ponting claimed that though he was present with McCullum, he did not have an idea at that time about the details of the conversation McCullum had with Cairns, initially via phone and then, in person.