Chris Cairns the master of all trades turns 45 today

Chris Cairns the master of all trades turns 45 today: In cricket, being an all rounder is a tedious job. You will have to deliver both with the bat and ball and work on your technique and make amends when needed in both the departments. Not many have managed to do the job of an all rounder as effectively and as with as much versatility as this black cap, the master of all trades Chris Cairns.

The 6 ft 2 inches tall, muscular man is a destructive batsman capable of giving you sleepless nights if you are a bowler. He is one of those guys who don’t really care about the surface but knew how to whack you at will when in the mood. Cairns once held the record for most sixes in tests true to his fearsome reputation as a big hitter. Not only with the bat but also with the ball, Cairns has won many a matches for his side with his fast medium bowling. With every wicket that he picked, his fellow team mates made a mess of his curly hair.

His career best figures of 7/27 in 1999 against West Indians was a stellar performance that no ardent kiwi fan would forget. Over the years injuries and match fixing allegations plagued his career and it ended in a melancholic fashion than many expected. None of the match fixing allegations have been proved yet but it did take a toll on him mentally as did his injuries did to him physically.

Chris Cairns is likely to face his perjury trial in October 2015. The former New Zealand all-rounder has repeatedly said that he was innocent and had nothing to hide so we as cricket fans who have admired Cairns’ cricket over the years expect him to come out clean. Injuries were a main concern for him that incessantly afflicted him throughout. As New Zealand’s Richard Boock said “It’s not a scientific measure of course, but if Cairns’ body had held together long enough for him to have played 100 Tests, his figures extrapolate out to something like 5334 runs and 351 wickets – very similar to those of Botham.”

Nevertheless he still has all the achievements that rank him right at the top amongst the game’s best all rounders. He is also one of only eight players to have reached the all-rounder’s double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs. Out of these seven players, Cairns reached the double 2nd fastest (58 Test) behind Ian Botham. In ODIs, Cairns came close to another double of 200 wickets and 5000 runs. Cairns finished his ODI career on 4950 runs, just 50 short. Chris Cairns with all his wonderful achievements and his passion for the game is a fan favorite for most of his playing days. CricTracker wishes the Black Cap a very happy birthday!