NZC behind McCullum after Cairns trial
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have come out and said they will support their captain Brendon McCullum if he faces any harassment following the court case of former Black Caps allrounder Chris Cairns in London.
Cairns was found not guilty of perjury charges and effectively cleared of match-fixing even though McCullum was one of the state's key witnesses, saying that his former teammate approached him to fix matches in 2008.
The Kiwi skipper though did admit in court that he did not report Cairns to the authorities immediately, and only came forward with the information in 2011, a fact that contributed to Cairns being found not guilty by the jury.
NZC chairman Stuart Heal told New Zealand Herald: "Brendon is an employee of ours, so we've got a duty of care around him that makes sure he's in a safe working environment and free of harassment and all that humiliation stuff.
"I hope it doesn't come to that, but of course we will support Brendon. As I say, he's our current captain and an employee of New Zealand Cricket. We need him on the park leading our side and doing what he does best.
"I think it's really important that we understand [he] came forward for the right reasons.
"I think with Brendon, he said – didn't he – in the trial that he delayed his report on the basis that he was reluctant to incriminate a friend. And I think what was happening in 2008 and now, today – it is a different environment."
Latest
-
NewsSam Curran relishing responsibility in England T20 side
The Surrey all-rounder opened the bowling before partnering Jonny Bairstow across the winning line.
-
NewsOn This Day 2012: Ashley Giles takes over as England limited-overs head coach
Team director and Test boss Andy Flower was keen to reduce his own workload and Giles seized the opportunity.
-
NewsJonny Bairstow happy to put experience to good use after move down England order
Bairstow hit a wonderful 86 not out as England won the first Twenty20 international in South Africa.
-
NewsDefiant Jonny Bairstow powers England to win over South Africa
The Yorkshire batsman hit 86 not out from 48 balls in a five-wicket win.
-
NewsEngland chasing 180 to win Cape Town clash as Faf Du Plessis makes half-century
Sam and Tom Curran experienced mixed fortunes in the first innings of the opening Twenty20 against South Africa.
-
NewsKohli disappointed to see heads go down in Sydney
India were pummeled by Australia in the first ODI going down by 66 runs after a poor effort in the field.
-
NewsLeicestershire boss: Foxes won’t stand for being county cricket “also rans”
Chief executive Sean Jarvis has big plans for the county.
-
NewsEngland unsure of best T20 side as foreign fixtures resume
Selectors have a full strength squad to choose from in England’s first away match since the start of the pandemic.
-
NewsKohli promises opportunities for India young guns
Virat Kohli’s India will be looking to blood the next generation of stars Downunder.
-
NewsSouth Africa on high alert after Ben Stokes’ IPL form
The South Africa captain saw Stokes smash a sensational hundred last month.