Chris Cairns diagnosed with bowel cancer

Former New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, after a series of health complications last year. The 51-year-old revealed on his Instagram post that it came as a "big shock".

According to New Zealand media reports, he was discharged from the hospital in Canberra last week following a life-threatening heart attack and paraplegia.

"As far as weeks go, I thought that Tom Brady retiring was going to be the low point this week… but as it turned out, TB12's retirement comes a distant second," Cairns wrote on Instagram.

"I was told yesterday I have bowel cancer…big shock and not what I was expecting after what was supposed to be a routine checkup.

"So, as I prepare for another round of conversations with surgeons and specialists, I keep remembering how lucky I am to be here in the first place…and how blessed I am to have all that I do in my life. Wasn't all bad this week either, managed to get in some kids sport and celebrate (son) Noah's birthday at home.

"Another fight ahead but here's hoping this one is a swift upper cut and over in the first round."

In August last year, Cairns suffered an aortic dissection after suffering a heart attack. He was also on life support during that period and was left paralysed in his legs after suffering a stroke in his spine after surgery.

Cairns, the son of former Test player Lance Cairns, played 62 Tests and 215 ODIs for New Zealand between 1989 and 2006.