Former New Zealand cricket all-rounder Chris Cairns on life support

After collapsing due to a cardiac issue, Chris Cairns, a former New Zealand cricket all-rounder, is on life support in a Canberra hospital.

After suffering an aortic dissection, Cairns, 51, underwent numerous operations but did not respond to treatment as expected, according to Newshub. An aortic dissection is a tear in the major artery of the body.

He will be moved to a specialised hospital in Sydney, according to Newshub.

The cricket players' union in New Zealand was unable to provide a rapid reaction.

New Zealand Cricket's spokesman stated that the board respected Cairns' privacy rights and did not comment on the situation.

Between 1989 and 2006, Cairns is known as one of the best all-rounders of his time, played 62 tests, 215 one-day internationals, and two Twenty20 matches for New Zealand before turning to television commentary.

His father was also a cricketer for New Zealand.

Following his marriage to Australian Melanie Croser in 2010, Cairns has lived in Canberra for several years.

Cairns was accused of match-fixing in India after retiring from international cricket in 2008 as captain of the Chandigarh Lions in the defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL).

He disputed any misconduct and tried to clear his name in court, eventually winning a libel action against former Indian Premier League head Lalit Modi in 2012.

After being accused by the Crown Prosecution Service in the libel case, he was cleared of perjury in 2015.