Former Black Cap Chris Cairns has been left paralysed following life-saving emergency heart surgery in Sydney.
Chris Cairns arriving at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. Photo: AFP
Cairns, 51, suffered an aortic dissection - a tear in the body's main artery - earlier this month in Canberra and was rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's hospital where he spent a week on life support.
A statement from Cairns' lawyer Aaron Lloyd said "during the life saving emergency heart surgery Chris underwent in Sydney he suffered a stroke in his spine.
"This has resulted in paralysis in his legs. As a result he will be undertaking a significant rehabilitation process at a specialist spinal hospital in Australia."
He said Cairns had returned to Canberra but "remains in a serious condition, with complications, and a likely long road to recovery ahead of him".
The statement did not indicate whether the paralysis was expected to be permanent but said: "Chris and his family now want to focus on spending time together where possible and making whatever progress they can in his recovery".
-RNZ