Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns diagnosed with bowel cancer

Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns has been diagnosed with a bowel cancer. He himself revealed the news on his official Instagram account while admitting that it was shocking for him to know even as he had only gone for a routine check-up. Not long ago, he suffered a spinal stroke which was followed by an emergency heart surgery and was only discharged from hospital recently.

He had also undergone a life-saving treatment for a torn artery and the spinal stroke had led to him being paralysed below the waist. Having said that, Cairns was happy that he was discharged and was time and again, keeping the cricket fans updated about his improving health.

Only last week, the 51-year-old was discharged from University of Canberra Hospital after a treatment of 141 days. But he came to know about the latest setback in terms of his health during a routing check up on Friday (February 4).

Another fight ahead, says Chris Cairns

In his Instagram post, Chris Cairns stated that it was a big shock for him to know about bowel cancer and will now consult surgeons and specialists in this regard. However, one of the better all-rounders during his playing days, Cairns, is ready to fight this battle for life as well.

“I was told yesterday I have bowel cancer… big shock and not what I was expecting after what was supposed to be a routine checkup. 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… and how blessed I am to have all that I do in my life.

“… Another fight ahead but here’s hoping this one is a swift upper cut and over in the first round,” his Instagram post read.

Here’s his Instagram post:

As far as his cricketing career is concerned, Chris Cairns played 62 Tests, a whopping 215 One-Day Internationals and 2 T20Is for New Zealand from 1989 to 2006. He scored 3320 runs and also accounted for 218 wickets in red-ball cricket at the highest level. When it came to the ODIs, he amassed 4950 runs at an average of 29.46 and picked 201 wickets at a decent average of 32.80.