Cricket: Cairns relishes a crack at Treasury

Chris Cairns

Chris Cairns is looking forward to liberating the moths in Finance Minister Michael Cullen's purse.

Cairns wants Cullen to have to dig deep to meet the promise the New Zealand Government has made to fund every run, boundary and six in cricket's three-match series between the Black Caps and the World XI - and he will have every New Zealand taxpayer rooting for him.

Every time Cairns, one of his team-mates or one of the opposition dispatches a ball over the boundary it will cost the Government $5120.

The Government has pledged $5000 for every six struck in the series, $1000 for every boundary and $20 for each run and there is no limit on the funding.

Money raised in the series will be donated to World Vision and will be directed to relief aid for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

"It will be an opportunity for me to contribute a bit," Cairns said.

"It's a very generous offer for the Government to pitch in. It's unique."

Cairns said he did not have a figure in mind.

"But hopefully I will be able to take Michael Cullen to the cleaners. That's what I'll be trying to achieve. I've played here a bit," he said, surveying Jade Stadium yesterday and eyeing up the shortest routes to the boundary.

"Seriously, I'm sure all of us will be trying to do our bit. We have all seen the images from Asia and any monetary relief we can contribute will be fantastic."

Cairns said he was looking forward to playing against great spin bowlers Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, who have 1760 one-day and test wickets between them.

He would like to think he can put them over the boundary a few times.

"I'm an aggressive player and like to take it to the bowlers. I'll be trying the same with Murali and Shane.

"They have also made me look a bit foolish on occasions, but having them here is wonderful.

"Putting their hands up to come here says a lot for where New Zealand cricket is at, especially in the one-day game.

"A few years ago playing a World XI might have been scoffed at, but now our players can foot it with the best in the world."

While the games will not be recognised as official one-day internationals, Cairns said there would still be a competitive element about them.

Yesterday 13,000 tickets had been sold for the match.

The main contingent of the World XI will arrive in Christchurch on Thursday.

- NZPA