Six weeks after Chris Cairns walked into the Southwark Crown Court to stand trial on charges of perverting the course of justice and perjury, the jury has heard all the witnesses. Jared Savage examines the key pieces of evidence the jurors will weigh up after the judge has summed up
Chris Cairns trial: The attack ... and the defence
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Chris Cairns arrives at Southward Crown Court in London today. Cairns is standing trial for perjury. 14 October 2015 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Chris Gorman.
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He also unsuccessfully tried to recruit teammates Andre Adams, Murray Goodwin, Mal Loye and Azhar Mahmood to cheat.
Brendon McCullum
He says: Cairns called him with a "business proposition" a few days before McCullum debuted for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League in 2008. The friends allegedly discussed spread betting, which Cairns explained and said "all the big boys are doing it". McCullum eventually declined. A second approach was made in England a few months later, which McCullum also declined. He told a number of people - Leanne McGoldrick, Shane Bond, Dan Vettori, Kyle Mills - what happened. But McCullum did not alert the ICC until February 2011 when he realised he could be punished for failing for report the approach without "undue delay". Resolute when quizzed if Cairns was serious in allegedly asking him to underperform.
Defence says: The conversation was innocent and that's why McCullum never raised a red flag. He socialised with Cairns several times following the alleged approaches, which he would not do if he thought Cairns was a cheat. Over time, McCullum has "misconstrued" the discussion and dovetailed his evidence to fit with Vincent's as part of a conspiracy. This was to protect "Brand McCullum" and avoid a playing ban for failing to report the alleged approach.
Ellie Riley v Mel Cairns
The two women were witnesses to a night of drinking and dancing in Manchester in June 2008. By all accounts, a lot of alcohol was consumed. Married to Lou Vincent at the time, Ellie Riley was adamant Chris Cairns was allegedly talking about match-fixing at the bar. She said Cairns assured her that "everyone was doing it in India" and they weren't going to get caught. "He was very confident about that," said Mrs Riley.
Vincent and Riley have since had an acrimonious divorce. Asked whether she had any reason to support her ex-husband, she replied: "None at all."
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Cairns said the conversation never happened and was backed up by his wife, Mel. At the time, she was in a new relationship with Cairns which ended his marriage. There was "absolutely not" any discussion of match-fixing, said Mrs Cairns, although under further questioning she conceded she may not remember the conversation. While Mrs Riley had no loyalty to Vincent, Mrs Cairns loved her husband and their two children. She denied having a motive to support his version of events. "I have no reason to lie, especially in a court of law."
Chris Cairns
He says: Earning up to US$350,000 a year playing for the Chandigarh Lions. Flatly denies fixing cricket games or even contemplating cheating. Conversation with Vincent never happened, while McCullum misconstrued an innocent discussion.
Dismissed from the ICL in 2008 for undisclosed ankle injury, not match-fixing, but concedes there were rumours. Horrified when powerful cricket official Lalit Modi tweeted about Cairns' record in match-fixing, which he described as a "death sentence" in the sport. Won the libel case in 2012 and thought tainted reputation was restored. Was unaware his name was linked to match-fixing probe until TV colleague told him during test match in late 2013.
Crown says: If Cairns is telling the truth, he is very unfortunate to be falsely accused of match-fixing three times. Described the cricketing hero as "arrogant" during the libel trial because he knew no one would speak up against him. Payments of US$250,000 from a diamond dealer in Dubai were for match-fixing, not PR work as described by Cairns. Asked Cairns to expand on his "conspiracy theory" and questioned why "perfectly reasonable, sane" people would travel to London and give false evidence. Said Cairns thought he was untouchable but he was "caught on the boundary".
The Skype call
Chris Cairns wanted Lou Vincent to provide a written statement to support his libel case against Lalit Modi. Vincent was reluctant and Cairns believed he wanted money in return.
Andrew Fitch-Holland was tasked with persuading Vincent and they discussed this on Skype in early 2011, in a conversation Vincent recorded. Fitch-Holland is charged with perverting the course of justice.
In giving evidence, Fitch-Holland said he did not know Vincent was fixing cricket games and has never believed his friend Cairns was involved in corrupt activity.
One excerpt from the Skype call quotes Fitch-Holland asking Vincent to sign a simple statement confirming the cricketer was "one of the 11 people on the field in those games and from where you were standing everything seemed okay".
Vincent later said: "It's a big ask from me, to sort of like you say in a legal document to say something that isn't true."
"Well that's right, well then again," Fitch-Holland said.
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Fitch-Holland told the jury the "clearly true" comment referred to corruption within the Chandigarh Lions, but not Cairns.
If that was the truth, Crown prosecutor Sasha Wass, QC, suggested Fitch-Holland had not made himself clear.
"Given I've been profoundly misinterpreted, obviously not," replied Fitch-Holland.
"I did not ask Lou Vincent to lie."
