November 14 Thursday 2002
Cairns resumes cricket by leading Canterbury team

WELLINGTON: International all-rounder Chris Cairns will lead one of the sides in a Canterbury trial cricket match to be played at Hagley Park on Sunday. It will be the first outing for Cairns who was forced to have more surgery on his leg after breaking down on the first day of first Test against England last summer. 

He will be up against a powerful-looking team to be led by Canterbury captain Gary Stead but which contains recent international players in Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris and Chris Martin. However, Cairns will be able to call on fast man Shane Bond and will also have former Test spinner Paul Wiseman in his side. Also included as wicket-keeper in Cairns' side is Ben Yock, who along with Brendon Donkers and Neil Broom were members of non-aligned players who took part in Canterbury's match with Otago earlier this week before end of players' strike.