Chris Cairns: Perjury trial was hell

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns believes his reputation has been "completely scorched" despite being cleared of all charges in his perjury trial.

Cairns pleaded not guilty to perjury and perverting the course of justice and a jury at Southwark Crown Court found in his favour on Monday following a nine-week trial and more than 10 hours of deliberation.

Cairns successfully sued former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi for libel after being accused on Twitter in 2010 of fixing matches in the now defunct Indian Cricket League and was awarded £90,000 in damages.

However, after former international colleague Lou Vincent was found guilty of match-fixing, it was subsequently alleged that Cairns misled the court during the libel proceedings by lying under oath when stating "I have never, ever cheated at cricket. Nor would I ever contemplate such a thing".

As well as Vincent, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was another to give evidence against Cairns who, when asked if he would consider a return to cricket in some capacity, replied: "No. I think it would be a very hard environment to go back into.

"A lot of damage has been done and that's unfortunate and sad.

"Reputationally, I'm completely scorched, burnt completely, but it hasn't stopped me and it won't stop me."

Cairns said he would only ask McCullum "Why?" if the pair came face-to-face again.

The former all-rounder added: "It's been hell for the last five or so years and in particular the last couple of years.

"At the start I couldn't quite hear the foreman and when I saw Fitch [co-defendant Andrew Fitch-Holland]'s face and the jubilation there it came home to roost what had occurred.

"I've been through the mill and come out the other side and I'm a very happy man.

"Other than being exhausted, very, very tired, I'm just looking forward to getting home, seeing my family and being with them."

Fitch-Holland - who faced a charge of perverting the course of justice - was also cleared on Monday.