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New Zealand Cricket has expressed its support in favour of the Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum, even as the Southwark Crown Court acquitted his former team-mate Chris Cairns of the perjury charges being levelled against him. McCullum, it is learnt, had given his statement against Cairns during the trial.
"Brendon is an employee of ours, so we've got a duty of care around him that makes sure he's in a safe working environment and free of harassment and all that humiliation stuff," NZC chairman Stuart Heal said. “I hope it doesn't come to that, but of course, we will support Brendon. As I say, he's our current captain and an employee of New Zealand Cricket. We need him on the park leading our side and doing what he does best."
Earlier, McCullum had informed the Southwark Court that he was first approached by Cairns before the first game of the IPL 2008, which was soon followed by a phone call. Cairns, McCullum further said, had also contacted him in Worcester during New Zealand’s tour of England earlier this year. He denied the proposals on both the occasions.
The legal conundrum arose for Cairns after his successful libel action against former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi in the London High Court in 2012, which was a result of and was preceded by a tweet from Mr Modi accusing Cairns of match fixing during the now extinct Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2010.
However, the prosecution at the Southwark Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service, identified the leaked testimonies of Cairns’ former team-mates Lou Vincent and McCullum, that were given to the ICC’s ACSU (anti-corruption and security unit), thereby raising questions against Cairns’ statement of ‘never cheating at cricket’ and eventually prosecuting him.
Heal also backed McCullum on the question of him (McCullum) being criticised for revealing his reports containing Cairns’ activities very late. It is known that Cairns had first approached him in 2008, but McCullum reported it to the ICC only in 2011.
He said, "I think with Brendon, he said - didn't he - in the trial that he delayed his report on the basis that he was reluctant to incriminate a friend. And I think what was happening in 2008 and now, today - it is a different environment."
Cairns’ acquittal has also been acknowledged by the ICC. In an official statement, it said, “The ICC notes the decision of the jury finding Mr Chris Cairns not guilty and confirms its utmost respect for the process that has been followed. The ICC and its [anti-corruption unit] will continue to work closely with and provide all possible support to players in order that the fight against corruption can be tackled effectively and collectively."
In the wake of recent events, the threat of corruption lurking around the doors of cricket must be nipped in the bud at every such instance noticed. The acquittal of Cairns has come as a massive relief to the former Kiwi all-rounder who was pleased on surviving five years of hell and coming out relatively unscathed.
