Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand all-rounder, faced a harrowing health crisis that nearly claimed his life, but he has since defied the odds and returned to the cricket field, this time to mentor young players. The 55-year-old endured a life-threatening heart attack in August 2021, which resulted in an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the body's main artery. He underwent emergency heart surgery in Sydney, but complications arose, leading to a spinal stroke that initially left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Cairns's medical journey was fraught with challenges. He was placed on life support, and his family was informed that he was "extremely" close to death. His wife, Melanie, recounted the agonizing two weeks where Chris teetered on the brink, emphasizing the family's gratitude for every bit of recovery. Cairns himself acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that there was "no medical reason I should have survived".

Despite the paralysis, Cairns displayed remarkable resilience and determination. He underwent extensive rehabilitation, learning to navigate life in a wheelchair. In February 2022, Cairns revealed he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer after a routine check-up. Cairns has faced a series of personal and professional challenges. After retiring from cricket, he faced allegations of match-fixing in the Indian Cricket League (ICL), which he vehemently denied. Although he won a libel case against Lalit Modi, the former IPL commissioner, the accusations took a significant toll on his life and career.

Now, Cairns is channeling his experiences and passion for cricket into coaching the next generation. In October 2024, he participated in training sessions with selected players from Nelson Cricket, working with U15 Boys and Girls, Open Women, U17 Boys, and emerging players. Cairns focused on refining the finer points of batting, bowling, and fielding, imparting his knowledge from a career that included 62 Tests and 215 ODIs for New Zealand. Coaches and players alike have praised Cairns's ability to offer unique insights into high-performance cricket, covering technical skills and mental strategies.

Cairns has also been involved in developing "Machine Ball Cricket" (MBC), a new introductory game for young cricketers aged six to nine. Partnering with Garry MacDonald, Cairns adapted the concept from baseball to create a game that allows youngsters to develop fundamental skills with more balls in play. The primary innovation of MBC is a spring-loaded pitching machine operated by a coach, ensuring accurate deliveries and allowing batsmen to face more balls. This initiative is set to be trialed in the Top of the South region, with the aim of revolutionizing junior cricket development.

While Cairns admits that being wheelchair-bound is a tough reality to accept, he is motivated to contribute to the sport and share his wisdom with aspiring cricketers. "I know I'll never go into the net again and have a bat," he said, but he has found a new purpose in coaching and mentoring. Cairns's journey from near-death to coaching is a testament to his resilience, determination, and love for the game.