Chris Cairns, a former New Zealand captain, has been paralyzed during life-saving surgery

Chris Cairns, a former New Zealand all-rounder, has paralysis in his legs following a “stroke in his spine” during heart surgery in Sydney.

The 51-year-old experienced an aortic dissection in his heart earlier this month in Canberra and has since undergone numerous procedures. He was flown to a Sydney-based specialty hospital. Cairns has returned to Canberra, according to stuff.co.nz, although he is still in critical condition.

Chris experienced a stroke in his spine while undergoing life-saving emergency heart surgery in Sydney. His legs have become paralysed as a result of this “According to stuff.co.nz, Cairns lawyer Aaron Lloyd said in a statement.

“As a result, he will be undergoing extensive rehabilitation in an Australian specialty spinal hospital. 

Chris and his family are grateful for the outpouring of public support as they work through this tough period. They also value the fact that their privacy has been protected. Chris and his family are now concentrating on spending as much time together as possible and making as much progress as possible in his recuperation. “We will keep everyone updated when additional information becomes available, but this is likely to take some time,” the statement continued.

Between 1989 and 2006, Cairns represented New Zealand in 62 Tests, 215 ODIs, and two T20Is. The senior all-rounder scored 3,320 runs in Tests at an average of over 33 and grabbed 218 wickets at slightly over 29.

Cairns scored 4,950 runs at 29.46 and got 201 wickets at 32.80 in one-day internationals. Cairns is the son of former New Zealand all-rounder Lance Cairns, who was voted one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2000.