Chris Cairns still available for CLEAR Black Caps

Chris Cairns will be available for all home international series and most winter international commitments, despite having signed a two-year contract with England county, Nottinghamshire.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive, Martin Snedden, said Cairns had been open with New Zealand Cricket about his negotiations with Notts and had ensured that his county contract allowed him to be available for most of New Zealand's international commitments.

"Throughout this process it has been obvious to me that Chris has a strong desire to play for the CLEAR Black Caps. He has been able to reach an agreement with Notts that allows him to be available to play for New Zealand between county seasons which effectively means from October to mid-April and encompasses all of our home internationals. He has also negotiated a condition which releases him for a minimum of 21 days during the county season when he will be available to play for New Zealand.

"We have yet to finalise with Chris exactly which matches or tours we would want him for and we will work through that issue over the coming few months," Snedden said.

"Our initial thoughts are to have him available for the Sharjah tournament in April 2002, the ICC Knockout tournament scheduled for September 2002 and possibly the Test series against the West Indies."

In the second year of his county contract New Zealand currently has scheduled only one winter series against Sri Lanka. Cairns' contract would allow him to be available for a large part of that tour.

Snedden said New Zealand Cricket is disappointed not to have Cairns available for every international match but took the view that Cairns is a professional cricketer who has a legitimate right to secure his future livelihood.

"Chris has probably only two or three more years of international cricket left in him, injury and form permitting. It is perfectly understandable that he wants to maximise his income during this period and New Zealand Cricket respects his right to do so."

Cairns will leave for Nottinghamshire following New Zealand's participation in the Sharjah tournament in early April 2002.