Interview with Chris Cairns
Tyler Foundation (TF): What have you been doing with yourself since you retired?
Chris Cairns (CC): I’m based in the UK now. I’ve come over because of a couple of business interests I have here. It’s a chance for me to bring the family out and I’m just enjoying the odd game even though I’ve retired from international stuff. I didn’t have the time or the drive anymore and it’s good to have a chance to relax with the family. Plus I get to have another summer!! (laughs)
TF: Do you miss international cricket?
CC: No no no no no!! (laughs) I suppose it is a bit of a backhand complement when you have people say that perhaps I could have gone on a bit longer but in the end you can’t please everyone mate – it’s never a good time to retire but in my own eyes it was the right time to finish and hopefully some people have enjoyed some of the things I’ve done in my career.
TF: I certainly have.
CC: Cheers, I appreciate that.
TF: Best bowlers faced and batters bowled to? To put you on the spot!
CC: I think Shane Warne, especially when he first came on the scene in the mid 90’s. He was really hard to get away. Warne and Wasim Akram would be the two bowlers. I think for the batting, it would be Sachin Tendulkar and I’d have to say also Matthew Hayden. Look at what Hayden has achieved in his career opening the batting – the hardest place to bat – he’s a great player.
TF: Your own statistics speak for themselves. You hit 87 sixes in your test career, are there any in particular that stand out in your memory?
CC: Ah…any off Australia!! (laughs) Nah, not really mate. I suppose it was a nice milestone to go past Viv Richards, but it isn’t something you go out to break by design. It’s just the way I play the game and I suppose there’s a reasonable percentage of hitting in the way I bat and that’s how I grew up. Both Richards and Ian Botham were my childhood heroes and in some respects you just emulate those that you admire. But to get back to the question, there aren’t really any that stand out – they’re all enjoyable.
TF: Your thoughts on the upcoming Ashes series?
CC: Umm… It’s gonna be tough. I mean England are going to need to be at full strength, and already I hear that Jones isn’t going to be fit, but for England to regain the Ashes…scoring runs will be OK I think. Their batting is strong, but Harmison will have to take 30 wickets. He will be the number one component. Flintoff - we all know what he can do, and the pressure is on him all the time. He’ll perform no doubt about that, but Harmison if he fires, he has the capability to turn a test on his own. He needs to get 30+ wickets if they’re going to be successful.
TF: Interesting thoughts. Moving onto umpires for a second, what are your thoughts about umpires and their role in the modern game, say compared to when you first started your career?
CC: There’s always a bit of a hoo-hah with regards technology but I think you have to look at an umpire as you would a batsman. They get 95% of their decisions correct throughout the year. They may have a bad test but then again so do players. I think technology has its place and I think the mix is pretty right and it rears its head every once in a while, but overall it isn’t too bad.
TF: What do you know about Japan?
CC: Nothing much actually!! (laughs) I’ve had some 6-a-side tournaments in Hong Kong but nothing in Japan.
TF: Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to doing when you are here?
CC: It’s just culture mate. I’ve been very fortunate with the occupation I’ve had. Cricket provides me with a chance to see different cultures and meet different people. Now that I’ve finished playing, it gives me the opportunity to go to Japan and have a hit over there – it’s great. I’m lucky that cricket has given me this opportunity.
TF: Great. Charities and festival matches – do you have a lot of involvement in these activities?
CC: Any charity is worth playing for. I’m starting the Chris Cairns Foundation myself in New Zealand next February, concerned with rail crossing safety – my sister Louise was killed in 1993 at a level crossing and I’ve always wanted the time to put back something through a charity. I’m also involved in some charity work in India, and now that I’m not playing, the chance to support these kinds of things is great.
TF: Well, we look forward to having you here.
CC: Thanks, cheers mate.