Cricket: Cairns a 'scapegoat' for corrupt activity

Former New Zealand Cricketer Chris Cairns. Photo / Getty Images

Former New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns was a "scapegoat" for corrupt activity in the Indian Cricket League and evidence against him at the High Court in London was contradictory, and flawed, Cairns' lawyer says.

The summing up of Cairns' libel case against the former Indian Premier League commissioner, Lalit Modi, begun in the High Court in London on Wednesday and overnight (NZT) Cairns' lawyer Andrew Caldecott summed up for the defence.

Modi alleged on Twitter in January 2010 that Cairns was involved in match fixing in the 2008 season of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), while captain of Chandigarh.

Cairns has strenuously denied the accusations, stating last week he "was not a cheat" and had not offered team-mates money to cheat. He said Modi's accusation had turned his reputation to "dust".

"Mr Cairns' future and his past achievements are on the line," Mr Caldecott QC said in summing up.

"The allegations against him are wholly untrue and the evidence against him lacking."

The case made against Cairns was "back to front", and it all pointed to Cairns being made a convenient scapegoat, Mr Caldecott said.

It consisted contradictory statements, poorly recorded events and a flawed investigation, cricinfo reported.

Ronald Thwaites QC, representing Modi, started his summing-up speech on Wednesday by suggesting the case "charts the downfall of a once-great player", who had engaged in a "diabolical plan" to lead young, inexperienced players into corrupt activities.

After the closing arguments Judge David Bean asked for submissions on potential damages from both sides.

Judge Bean said he hoped to deliver a written verdict by the end of the month.