Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has now been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Last year, he suffered a spinal stroke following emergency heart surgery. The 51-year-old had undergone life-saving treatment for a torn artery, but unfortunately, he ended up getting a spinal stroke in late August that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Chris Cairns was discharged last week after 141 days of inpatient treatment at the University of Canberra Hospital and was told about his latest health setback on Friday following a routine check.

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Confirming the same on his social media page, Chirs Cairns wrote: “Another fight ahead but here’s hoping this one is a swift upper cut and over in the first round. I was told yesterday I have bowel cancer… big shock and not what I was expecting. So, as I prepare for another round of conversations with surgeons and specialists, I keep remembering how lucky I am to be here in the first place.”

 

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The Canberra-based Chris Cairns required urgent heart surgery in September 2021 following an aortic dissection, because of which there was a  tear in the inner layer of the body’s main artery. During the operation, he suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed in both legs.

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Chris Cairns played 62 Tests for New Zealand between 1989 and 2004, averaging 29.4 with the ball and 33.53 with the bat. He hit 87 sixes, a Test world record at the time, and was the sixth cricketer to achieve the all-rounders’ double of 200 wickets and 3,000 runs.

However, his on-field achievements were overshadowed by match-fixing allegations, strongly denied by Chris Cairns, that resulted in two court cases. He was cleared on both occasions but complained his reputation had been “scorched” regardless.