SYDNEY: Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is in an intensive care unit at a Sydney hospital after undergoing cardiovascular surgery following a major heart incident in Canberra last week.

St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney said Cairns, who was admitted on Tuesday, was in ‘a serious but stable condition’ in intensive care.

His wife Melanie Cairns said the cricketer had surgery in Canberra after a ‘major medical event’ late last week but the seriousness of his condition required him to be transferred to St Vincent’s for another operation.

“Chris’ family and friends are heartened by the respectful and warm manner in which this terrible news has been reported, and received by the public, both in New Zealand and around the world, and thanks everyone for their warm wishes, prayers, and kind words,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

New Zealand media outlet Newshub on Tuesday reported 51-year-old Cairns had suffered an aortic dissection — a tear in the body’s main artery.

His father Lance also represented New Zealand in cricket.

News of his health setback rocked New Zealand, where former team-mates expressed sympathy for his family.

“It’s absolutely devastating. It’s the worst news you could possibly get,” Chris Harris told local media.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2021