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Few positives from Cairns trial: Heath Mills

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Tue, 1 Dec 2015, 4:50PM
(Getty Images)

Few positives from Cairns trial: Heath Mills

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Tue, 1 Dec 2015, 4:50PM

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association boss Heath Mills believes there's only one possible positive out of the Chris Cairns perjury trial.

LISTEN: Players Association boss Heath Mills speaks to Kent Johns on Radio Sport

Cairns has been found not guilty of lying under oath and perverting the course of justice after a nine week trial in London.

MORE: Chris Cairns speaks to Mike Hosking

He says the only good thing is it will open people's eyes to the fact match fixing is real and can stretch to New Zealand.

"We've been very naive in this part of the world for many years, thinking this sort of activity is something that happens over there, on the other side of the world."

Full story: Cairns found not guilty

Mills said fixing needs to be handled by governments and police organisations.

"This is criminal activity. It's run by significant mafia groups around the world. We need experts fighting that and with the powers to fight that."

During the nine weeks, people like current New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and former captain Daniel Vettori gave evidence.

Mills said it's been an extremely demanding process for everyone.

"Athletes will think twice before they report, because they've been put in situations where they've had their integrity questioned, and everything about their lives questioned, which I think is unfair."

He said the court process "has not been pleasant for anyone, including their (the witnesses) families. We're very pleased to put it all behind us."

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