Kerre Woodham: So long, Chris, it's been a blast

So there was no fairy tale ending for Chris Cairns and his family and friends at Eden Park on Thursday night.

Sure, New Zealand beat the West Indies in a very odd game of Twenty/20 cricket that saw a bowl-off to decide the game when it ended in a draw, But really, in exhibition carnival games like this, does the score matter?

If the cricketing gods had read the script, they'd have known that New Zealand's finest all-rounder would have collected a couple of wickets and finished with a match-saving Cairnsian tonk that should have included at least half a dozen sixes.

But it was not to be.

There was a very tidy run-out off his own bowling, but a fabulous exhibition of batting was denied the crowd when Bravo clean bowled Cairns for two.

Still, if we didn't get to see the best of Cairns' cricketing ability, we saw the esteem in which he's held by players and public alike. As he walked from the pitch for the last time, the West Indian team clapped him off, as did his teammates when he got closer to the tunnel.

The 30,000-strong Eden Park crowd, many of whom had come primarily to say goodbye to Cairns, rose as one to give the man the standing ovation he deserved.

The Cairns family has given a lot to cricket.

You know you're old when you remember Chris' dad in his prime.

It must have been difficult to follow in Lance's footsteps, and from time to time Chris found it hard going.

When you're a naturally talented athlete but you're still young and finding your way, it's only natural you're going to kick the traces.

Especially when everyone thinks they know what's best for you.

Sometimes a young man doesn't want to do what's best - he wants to do what's downright bad.

But Chris Cairns managed to get through the drama of growing up in the public spotlight and evolve into a well-rounded man.

And the New Zealand public owes him a debt of thanks.

Now all we have to do is hope like hell one of his gorgeous young boys shows an interest in Poppa's old bat, and then start counting the days until the little one is old enough to become a Black Cap.