Cairns' media career on hold

Sky commentary role given up for now after revelations of match-fixing inquiry.

Chris Cairns' cricket commentary career is in limbo since he severed ties with Sky TV after revelations he is one of three former Black Caps being investigated by the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit.

Last Thursday, it emerged that Cairns and former teammates Daryl Tuffey and Lou Vincent were at the centre of an ICC probe into alleged match- and spot-fixing.

Cairns was part of Sky's commentary team for the first test match of the summer against the West Indies. He performed the pitch report on the second day and commentated during the morning session but did not return to the commentary box in the afternoon.

Last night, Sky confirmed it had no plans to use Cairns as a commentator again.

"He is not doing any commentating for Sky going forward," said Sky's head of corporate communications, Kirsty Way.

"He is going to focus on these claims, or supposed claims."

Cairns had made the decision to step down himself and Sky would consider using him again if he was cleared of any wrongdoing, Ms Way said.

"If he is cleared eventually then absolutely. It was Chris' decision to step down. He is innocent until proven guilty."

Cairns wrote of his disappointment at the effect of the accusations on his media career in his Sunday newspaper column.

"Can you begin to imagine how sickening it feels to be the subject of yet more rumour and press speculation now as I am embarking on a media career that is potentially in ruins?" he wrote.

Cairns will tomorrow make his first public appearance since news of the investigation became public. He is due to appear at a press conference to promote his charity boxing match against former commentary box colleague Simon Doull on Saturday night's Fight For Life card.

Promoter Dean Lonergan said Cairns had assured him he would fight and he expected him to attend the press conference.

"He is 100 per cent going to be fighting," Mr Lonergan said.

"At the end of the day all that is happening is he has an investigation going on. People are jumping to conclusions.

"I thought we lived in a democracy where a man was innocent until proven guilty."

Guest editor John Kirwan says:

I'm sad he's not going to be there. He's a special type of New Zealander - he intrigues me as a man. He's obviously going through a rough time and it's a shame I won't be hearing his voice. When it's over, come back strong.