Cairns' behaviour an isolated incident
From Stuff, 24 February 2003

New Zealand cricket vice-captain Chris Cairns' rowdy behaviour at a Durban nightclub in South Africa was an isolated incident, his manager Leanne McGoldrick said yesterday.

Cairns and some of his Black Caps teammates could face disciplinary action from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) after he and Brendon McCullum were removed from the nightclub after continually removing their shirts last Friday (NZ time).

Outside the club, Cairns, 32, was felled by a blow from behind by a local who is reportedly a noted troublemaker around the city's night spots.

Team manager Jeff Crowe is providing a report of the incident to NZC chief executive Martin Snedden today.

Cairns had been involved in several problems earlier in his career where he clashed with officialdom but for the past five years has been trouble free.

"He turned a corner five years ago and has been a wonderful role model and been determined to perform on the field," McGoldrick said.

"It would be a shame if things were soured by this.

"Chris basically had to do all his growing up in public but he has matured now."

McGoldrick said the incident was regrettable and one which Cairns was sorry had happened but he would not be talking about it.

She said Cairns had been celebrating the news he had become a father for a second time but that did not excuse being asked to leave the club.

"It was a most unfortunate incident."

McGoldrick said Cairns had been contacted by his South African partner Carin van den Berg earlier that day and told the news.

The Black Caps had been given a leave pass and most went out visiting several night spots before the incident at the Tiger Tiger club in the early hours of Friday morning (South African time).

Cairns was uncertain whether he would press assault charges against his assailant, McGoldrick said.

"He wants to move on, put this behind him, and focus on the World Cup."