Cricket: Struggling Cairns closing in on membership of elite club

Chris Cairns is on target to become a member of yet another exclusive club of all-rounders.

The veteran Black Cap took his 199th one-day international wicket on Saturday to go with his 4910 career runs, leaving him on the cusp of joining one of world cricket's most elite groups - players who have taken 200 wickets and scored 5000 runs.

Only Sri Lankan maestro Sanath Jayasuriya (10,219 runs, 268 wickets) and South African star Jacques Kallis (7954 and 201) have achieved the feat, although former Australian skipper Steve Waugh went close, scoring 7569 runs and taking 195 wickets.

Cairns, who a couple of seasons ago became one of the few test cricketers in the world to achieve the 3000 runs-200 wicket double, will have a chance to complete his ODI feat in the next three games against Sri Lanka, after which he will have to wait for next month's visit from the West Indies.

But the double was probably the last thing on his mind on Saturday as he struggled again at the bowling crease, proving New Zealand's most expensive commodity in the field despite Sri Lanka's batting woes.

The 36-year-old was expensive in the Chappell-Hadlee Series, conceding 61 runs off six overs at Christchurch and 66 off nine at Wellington, and in his past 10 games has taken just seven wickets at 50.28.

Coach John Bracewell, who was extremely pleased with the efforts from the pacemen Shane Bond, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills, said yesterday he wasn't concerned about Cairns' form with the ball, and had confidence the all-rounder would come right.

In fact, he blamed Cairns' waywardness on nerves, apparently created by the increased pressure for places within the side.

"The fact that Chris started to speed up as he did was an indication that, even at the age of 36, you can still get a little nervous about your performances," Bracewell said.

"I think the competition within the unit is keeping the guys honest, and what we saw from Chris at Queenstown was a sign of that pressure.

"If a 36-year-old starts getting nervous and has to start thinking about slowing himself down and not rushing things, then I think it's a healthy sign rather than a concern.

"We understand that Chris can and does bowl well but he got frenetic yesterday during the pace of the match and I think that speaks volumes about the level of desire and commitment."

However, while Bracewell will clearly want Cairns to regain some of his rhythm, he said he was delighted with the improvement shown by Oram at the bowling crease.

Bracewell predicted his towering all-rounder would continue his momentum through the week.

New Zealand play Sri Lanka in the next ODI at Jade Stadium tomorrow, after which they head to Wellington for the third game on Friday, and then to Napier for the swansong on Sunday at McLean Park.

"Jake came into the ODI not only fresh but feeling a little more confident after a good bowl against Wellington, and his natural length was of value on that pitch and against that particular opposition," said Bracewell.

"I would have thought that performance will give him a lot of confidence for the rest of the series."

THE 5000/200 CLUB

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
* 10,219 runs
* 268 wickets

Jacques Kallis (South Africa )
* 7954 runs
* 201 wickets