Tags:
Journalism of Courage
After the drugs, booze and pullouts, this was all the world cup was waiting for. ICC officials are seeking a report from security officers over a brawl involving several New Zealand players and local toughs at the notorious Durban beachfront nightclub Tiger Tiger.
One of the players, world-class all-rounder Chris Cairns, ended with a cut lip after being attacked from behind and was punched and kicked when he was tackled to the ground by four nightclub patrons.
|
New Zealand captain Fleming and Vettori arrive at Johannesburg on Friday. (Reuters)
|
Team manager Jeff Crowe said New Zealand Cricket had launched an inquiry into the incident and added that he would be speaking to the players and South African police.
‘‘I have, however, been advised by the South African police that the incident was unprovoked and was not related to any issue between Cairns and the person who assaulted him’’, he said.
The Kiwis chose to take a break in Durban after the ICC Technical Committee turned down their request to reschedule their World Cup game against Kenya. However, instead of being in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, they visited another known Wild West-type venue and ended up being asked to leave when a couple of players, including Cairns, removed their shirts.
If tradition had followed, Cairns would have done the haka (a Maori challenge). It appears that management objected to Cairns displaying his torso and he put his top back on at their request. This, however, didn’t seem enough and he was attacked as he left the club with three other members of the side.
The players turned to confront the attackers, who started taunting the players about luck in beating South Africa at The Wanderers. That’s when Cairns was attacked by four so-called patrons, kicked and slapped as he fell forward.
Security officials looking after the side bundled the Kiwis into two cars and they sped off towards the team’s hotel.
The ICC’s concern no doubt stems from the unresolved incident in Colombo last year when a group of West Indian players, including Brian Lara, were confronted by a gun-wielding thug of a known Sri Lankan politician with underworld links.
