DHAKA: In a sad turn of events and also what many would say his fall from grace, New Zealand's famed cricketer and once feared all-rounder Chris Cairns has taken to driving trucks and cleaning bus shelters for 17-dollar-an-hour salary.

As per reports, he decided to take up the job in order to provide for his family and meet his day-to-day expenses.

He is said to have taken up the job with the Auckland council where his work entails driving a truck that blasts water in bus shelters in the New Zealand capital.

A former New Zealand cricketer and one of Cairns' best friends Dion Nash confirmed that Chris was cleaning bus shelters. Nash was quoted by a daily as saying that Chris was trying really hard and doing his best to support his family. 

Cairns' wife Mel Crosser was also reported as saying that he had no choice and had to do things to provide for his family.

Cairns is considered as one of the finest cricketers that New Zealand has produced. Former Australian cricketer and a legend of the game Shane Warne had once described Cairns as the best all-rounder in the world.

He played 62 Tests and scored 3,320 runs with five centuries at an average of 33.53. He also took 218 wickets at 29.40 in Tests.

Cairns played 215 one-day internationals and scored 4,950 runs at an average of 29.46 and took 201 wickets.

One of his most memorable innings was his unbeaten 102 to win the final of the 2000 ICC Knock Out Trophy for New Zealand against India in Kenya.

He also played in now defunct Indian Cricket League.

Cairns retired from Tests in 2004 and ODIs in 2006.

His father, Lance, too was also a cricketer.

In 2012, Cairns won £90,000 ($146,000) in a libel action against former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi in London. This was regarding a tweet alleging he was involved in match-fixing.

Source: zeenews.india.com

BDST: 1336 HRS, SEP 19, 2014