Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is paralysed in his legs after suffering a stroke in his spine according to a Stuff.co.nz report.
"During the life saving emergency heart surgery Chris underwent in Sydney he suffered a stroke in his spine. This has resulted in paralysis in his legs,” Cairns' lawyer Aaron Lloyd said in a statement on Friday.
"As a result he will be undertaking a significant rehabilitation process at a specialist spinal hospital in Australia. Chris and his family remain appreciative of the immense public support as they deal with this difficult time,” the statement added.
Cairns had undergone a surgery after a "major medical event" earlier this month in Canberra where he lives with his family now but had to be shifted to St Vincent's for another operation.
The former right-handed cricketer was taken off life support last week.
The all-rounder was capped 62 times in Tests, 215 times in ODIs and also played a couple of T20Is in his career. The right-hander notched up over 3300 runs and scalped 218 wickets in Test cricket. He scored 4950 runs and picked up 201 wickets in ODIs.
Cairns played a crucial role in New Zealand’s winning triumph during the ICC Knockout tournament back in 2000 where the Blackcaps defeated India in the final to lift the trophy.