Perjury trial reveals Cairns' thoughts about ICL as 'powerless'; confirms Vincent's depressive state of mind

Chris Cairns in deep waters

Cairns’ perjury trial in London seems to be throwing out one shocking fact after the next. According to ESPNcricinfo, Andre Adams said that Chris Cairns allegedly called the Indian Cricket League (ICL) ‘powerless’ in regard to stopping their actions.

Adams played for Kolkata Tigers and said that this remark had been made in India during a dinner. Adams did not remember exactly when and what Cairns said, but reported the gist of it.

"I can remember Chris saying: 'If there was match-fixing, what can they do? How will they get anyone? It is not a sanctioned event," Adams told the court. "I cannot remember the exact words but it was something like 'how will they ever prove it?'"

Adams was speaking via video link.

The prosecution has taken the stance that in spite of two perjury charges in his face, Cairns is confident of his standing in the game and is convinced no player would dare speak out against him.

"For us and beyond he was a leader, certainly one of my heroes," Adams told the court. "He took time out for me when I was struggling in 2006-07 and talked to me about my game. In New Zealand, he was certainly a hero but in India he was like a god really."

In the summer of 2008, Adams was approached by Lou Vincent in Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Vincent, since banned because of match-fixing, gave him an offer to make money.

"You do not have to do it but you can make some money here," Vincent said. "I do not want you to miss out."

Adams said that Vincent’s fragile state of mind is what caused him to not report his friend. This is backed by Vincent, who has admitted that he was depressed at the time.

"I just went along with it really," Adams said. "I did not feel like it was the time or place to make him feel like he had done a bad thing. Technically our time was up and we were outcasts in internationals ... I just said: 'Okay, whatever, send it through and I will look at it', but I never intended to have a look."

"I felt like if I had reported him ... it might be the straw that broke the camel's back. I did not want to push him to the edge.”

Kyle Mills too took the stand via video link. He expressed shock when he got to know about Cairns’ attempts to recruit McCullum.

"I was pretty gobsmacked with that information alone," said Mills. "He [McCullum] and Chris Cairns had met and asked Brendon if he could be involved in spot-fixing and that he himself was involved in it."

After this statement, the prosecutor asked Mills to clarify who he was referring to in the above statement when he said ‘himself’. and Mills said he was referring to Cairns. Mills said that even though his brother is the chief executive of the New Zealand Players’ Association, he did not share the information with anyone and trusted McCullum to deal with it.

Under cross-examination, Mills cleared Daryl Tuffy of suspicion, at least from his perspective.

"Not in those games. I have enough to worry and look out for in playing for your country. Nothing was suspected of Daryl in those games."

More will be known soon, as the case has been adjourned for 9.30am, Monday.