You are in > manchester.com  > News > Cairns dropped from Kiwi squad

General Sports News

Cairns dropped from Kiwi squad

26/09/2005

Chris Cairns, the New Zealand all-rounder, has been dropped from his country's one-day squad which is set to tour South Africa.

The burly 35-year-old, whose advancing years would suggest that this signals an end to his international career, remains defiant and insists that he will try to regain his place.

"The pride's been dented, of course, but I've had time to come to terms with it," he said.

"There's two ways, I can either fight it or say goodbye, and I'm not done yet."

New Zealand coach John Bracewell denied that dropping Cairns was effectively bringing an end to his career.

In a prepared statement, Bracewell said: "Chris Cairns was not selected due to issues with his cricket fitness."

In a one-day career spanning 208 games, Cairns averages 29.31 with the bat and 40.26 with the ball. In ten games this year his figures decline to 25.57 and 42 respectively.


© Adfero Ltd