5 shocking revelations that have come up in the Chris Cairns perjury trial

Chris Cairns’ perjury trial is putting the game in the news for all the wrong reasonsAs the game of cricket continues to grow and reach worldwide, its ugly side has also reared its head. With increasing popularity comes a chance to make quick money, and cricketers keep falling prey to their own greed. Starting with Hansie Cronje’s tearful acceptance of fixing matches and then the incarceration of Pakistan cricketers and finally the great IPL spot-fixing scandal, the concept of match-fixing has stubbornly adhered itself to the game. Currently undergoing trial is Chris Cairns, former New Zealand all-rounder, who has been convicted of perjury – lying in court.In 2012, Chris Cairns won a libel case against Lalit Modi, where Cairns swore that he had “never fixed matches” in his career. With new evidence coming up against Cairns where he has been found guilty of fixing matches, Cairns has been accused of perjury and now stands in New Zealand’s High Court as several high-profile cricketers have arrived to give evidence against him. These cricketers include as many as five New Zealand captains – including Brendon McCullum and Stephen Fleming – as well as Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain. If found guilty, Cairns could spend up to 7 years in prison.A week has already passed and several astonishing announcements have taken place. Let’s look at 5 such revelations that have come up in the trial:

#1 Lou Vincent\'s staggering claims

Lou Vincent and wife’s testimony might be the most important of all

Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent, who was banned for life last year for admitting to have participated in match-fixing, gave damning evidence against Chris Cairns. Vincent admitted that he had been under “direct orders” from Cairns to fix matches, and that he done so throughout the ICL tournament in 2008. Vincent claimed that he had looked up to Cairns and that he had blindly followed him into the world of match-fixing.

Vincent went on to claim that Daryl Tuffey, New Zealand’s ex-fast bowler had also participated in fixing matches, and that he was “furious he had not been paid yet”. He gave evidence of several incidents, such as raising the TV volume while talking of match fixing and receiving instructions during breakfast or in the bus. Vincent said that Cairns often told him to get out at specific times, and mentioned that Cairns often got angry if he scored more than what he was told to do.

Vincent was backed up by his ex-wife Eleanor Riley, who stated that Cairns was “very confident” that he could get away with fixing matches. She went on record to say that Vincent directly admitted to her that he was fixing matches under Cairns, and that he had also taken money from him.

While Cairns’ defense lawyers managed to trip Vincent up during the cross-examination, they failed to do the same to his ex-wife, and her testimony will stand as the most important of all.

#2 \"Business proposition\" to Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum was the star witness for the prosecution

Current New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was the prosecution’s star witness, and he quickly proved why. He stated that Chris Cairns talked to him of match fixing on three separate occasions, and even tried to get him to do the same. In April 2008, Cairns called McCullum on his hotel phone, and talked to him about a business proposition. That was backed up by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was in the room when the phone call took place.

The second approach was made in Cairns’ hotel room, where he started to speak about match-fixing in cricket. McCullum said that Cairns made a fair explanation of it, where he explained about the different types of fixing, including underperforming in a match. McCullum also stated that he was shocked, and asked Cairns if he was joking, to which he is supposed to have replied, “No, all the big boys are doing it.”

The Kiwi captain added that Cairns said he had approached several others, including New Zealand cricketers Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori, both of whom had refused.

The third approach was made later in the year, when McCullum was playing for an English county. McCullum stated that he was “shocked” that Cairns made such a proposition to him, and also expressed a feeling of disappointment that his former hero had stooped to such levels. McCullum’s statements combined with Vincent’s will be the biggest keystones the prosecution will use to take action against Cairns.

#3 The great diamond debacle

Daniel Vettori recounted an incident where Cairns gave him $9000 in $20 notes

In what seems like a plot straight out of an action movie, Daniel Vettori gave evidence regarding a shady transaction that Cairns attempted in 2006. After the Champions Trophy, Vettori – who was getting engaged at the time – asked Cairns, who was in India at the time, to buy him a diamond ring. Vettori also gave Cairns a cheque of US$ 15,000 as payment.

But his engagement came and went, and there was still no sign of the ring. Angry, Vettori asked for his money back, which Cairns kept putting off. Finally, a full two years later, in 2008, Vettori got his money back, but he was in for a shock. The money was in $20 notes in cash, which was an uncommon denomination to be giving out such a large amount in. Vettori reported it to ICC anti-corruption investigator John Rhodes, who did not make much of it.

But after McCullum told Vettori of Cairns’ match-fixing proposition in 2008, Vettori reported it again, and this time, the matter was taken more seriously. Vettori claimed that he was “shocked and angry” that Cairns had put McCullum in such a position, and that he was stunned by all of it. Vettori also said that he had heard rumours about Cairns, Vincent and Tuffey as early as 2010, but was unable to take any action because of lack of evidence.

#4 Unhappy even during wins

Both Shane Bond and Chris Harris testified to Cairns’ unusual behaviour during wins

Several former cricketers have come forward to supply evidence of Chris Cairns’ odd behaviour during the ICL. Former fast bowler Shane Bond was one of the first, as he video-conferenced from the USA to make his claim.

Bond – who also played in the ICL – said that during one particular match, Chris Cairns’ team the Chandigarh Lions were winning, but Cairns did not look happy. Later, Bond directly confronted Cairns about the matter, to which the latter replied in utter denial.

Following Bond’s lead, former cricketer Chris Harris also indicated the same match as stated by Bond, and said that Cairns’ behaviour was “unusual” despite Chandigarh winning. Harris also stated that there were several other “strange incidents”, including one case where Cairns decided to bat first on a ground where several teams had bowled before.

Ex-New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming also pitched in, claiming that he confronted Lou Vincent in a bar, and stated that he knew he was guilty. Fleming also branded Cairns as a “dirty cricketer”, Vincent said. Fast bowlers Andre Adams and Kyle Mills rounded off as witnesses against Cairns, each recounting incidents when Cairns approached them to fix matches.

#5 Cairns continues to deny accusations

Cairns and his defendant Fitch-Holland continue to deny all allegations

Even after all the damning evidence against him, Chris Cairns and his legal team continue to deny all allegations raised against them, claiming that they have been set up, and that “Lalit Modi is out for revenge”. Cairns went on an angry tirade after hearing the match-fixing claims levelled against him, and hotly denied it.

He said that Lou Vincent – who had given false evidence in an earlier case – had demanded money for his participation, and that he was not the quiet observer he has shown himself to be.

Cairns’ defendant Andrew Fitch-Holland, who has also been charged by the court, claimed that Lou Vincent was the sole guilty party and that he was trying to drag Cairns down with him. Cairns denied ever meeting Brendon McCullum and discussing match-fixing with him, despite the encounter being backed up by several former cricketers. Cairns also stated that McCullum was interpreting their discussion in the wrong way.

With several cricketers coming forward to present evidence against Cairns and new events cropping up every day, the entire cricketing world waits with bated breath to see which side the court will rule. Regardless of which way the wind blows, the Cairns trial will go down as one of cricket’s ugliest incidents.