Name:

Cairns, B Lance

Nickname:

Excalibur

Date of Birth:

10 Oct 1949

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Picton

Career:

Test: 1974 - 1985
ODI: 1974 - 1985

Teams:

New Zealand (Country)
Central Districts (Regional)

1984: Hadlee inspires first ever home win for NZ over England (Christchurch)

Bernard Lance Cairns was born on October 10, 1949 in Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand.

He was a flamboyant All-rounder who batted Right-hand bat and bowled Right-arm medium-fast off the wrong foot.

Cairns was a cult hero of New Zealand cricket in the 1970s and early 1980s. A hard-hitting lower-order batsman and a reliable swing bowler, he used an unusual shaved bat (Excalibur) to hit many Sixers. 

Cairns made his Test debut against South Africa in 1969. 

His 7/74 against England at Headingley in 1983 was pivotal in New Zealand’s historic first Test win on English soil.

Cairns also played in New Zealand’s first-ever Test win over Australia (1974, Christchurch).

He is the father of Chris Cairns, the tarnished all-rounder for New Zealand. Despite being partially deaf, he competed at the highest level, showing remarkable resilience. In retirement, he became a coach and mentor in domestic cricket.