Cricket: Former Black Caps captain Chris Cairns paralysed after a stroke in surgery following heart attack

Chris Cairns on February 14, 2006 - the day he announced he would retire from international cricket. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand cricket great Chris Cairns has returned to Canberra from Sydney but remains in a serious condition with a "long road to recovery" ahead of him.

The former Black Caps captain, 51, collapsed in Canberra three weeks ago, having suffered a massive heart attack - resulting in an aortic dissection, or a tear in the inner layer of the body's main artery.

His family said this afternoon that during life-saving emergency heart surgery in Sydney, Cairns 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."

Cairns and his family appreciate the immense public support, they said.

"They also appreciate the way in which their privacy has been respected."

Cairns, the son of Black Cap legend Lance Cairns, was a right-hand batsman and fast-medium bowler. He was known as one of the finest all-rounders of his generation.

He has been living and working in Canberra with his wife Melanie and their children for several years.

He has been the chief executive of SmartSportz, a company specialising in virtual sport.

Cairns had to rebuild his life after walking out of Southwark Crown Court in London in 2015 after being found not guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice charges in relation to match-fixing allegations.