Cairns' skills can put Kiwis in overdrive (6 June 1999)

6 June 1999

Cairns' skills can put Kiwis in overdrive

The Electronic Telegraph

If Chris Cairns can produce his best all-round form, starting with New Zealand's first Super Six match against Zimbabwe today, the Kiwis' attempt to win their first World Cup will be a realistic goal.

When Cairns strides to the wicket during one-day internationals in New Zealand, he arrives to the sounds of Crystal Method's 'Comin' Back'. During his 10-year career, including a couple of seasons with Nottinghamshire, he has had to come back many times - from indifferent performances, injury, and coming to terms with crises in his personal life.

Private tragedies often become public for sports people and Cairns has been no stranger to having lived his life very much in the spotlight. The tragic death of his younger sister, who was killed in a train crash, devastated Chris and the Cairns family.

For a young man, having to deal with that while concentrating on looking to the future with purpose and playing cricket for a living, was a very difficult task. The recent break-up of his marriage was another obstacle he has had to come to terms with. To his credit, he has handled traumatic situations with dignity and, as a person, has grown emotionally and matured. He appears to be more relaxed and settled.

As a youngster, he spent some time living in my home and over the years I have seen him develop from a typical, challenging teenager to a sometimes rebellious, yet exciting and entertaining cricketer, who promised to deliver so much. He has had a 'potential' tag tacked to his shoulders for a long time, and while he has produced some wonderful match-winning performances, he still has a lot to prove to himself and make further contributions to the game.

Cairns has had his difficulties when he has questioned why he should conform. For example, he has asked why he should cut his long hair, or why he should not play in a Shell Cup final wearing a promoter's black pair of boots instead of the traditional white ones. When he left New Zealand's tour of the West Indies in 1997 because of injury, and yet within days played for Notts, the New Zealand players, administrators and general public were not amused.

He has now got through those times, something which most, if not all, cricketers experience. Today, as a player, he is well groomed and looks full of purpose. He appears to be fully committed to the team ideals, to New Zealand cricket, and is desperate to succeed for the team and himself. Perhaps he has come to terms with reality, standards and expectations. With his change of attitude over the last couple of seasons he has been given more responsibility and has been a touring vice-captain and selector. This has only helped his performances on field.

His father, Lance, is still a folk hero in New Zealand, having been a very successful and entertaining cricketer in his own right during the Seventies and in the glorious Eighties, by far the most successful period in New Zealand's history. From experience, it is always difficult living in the shadows of a famous father, but Chris' career now stands alone.

Now approaching 29, he has become New Zealand's genuine all-rounder and, like his father, he has captured over 100 Test wickets. He is an explosive batsman who, last summer against India on his home ground, Jade Stadium at Lancaster Park, scored the fifth fastest one-day century. His ability to hit boundaries and emulate his father, but with more finesse and technical appreciation than brute strength, is a wonderful sight to behold.

The past 18 months have been the most successful of Cairns' career. During the 1998 season he captured 33 Test wickets in seven matches and 24 one-day wickets, including a satisfying five for 42 against the Australians in a one-dayer at Napier. After a series of setbacks he is now back to the fitness and form that is crucial to New Zealand's success. The Kiwis would love to see a few more match-winning efforts over the next two weeks.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph