Last updated: 13th June 2008
Cairns - coming out of retirement
Chris Cairns has been cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board to play for Nottinghamshire in the Twenty20 Cup.
The former New Zealand all-rounder has come out of retirement in order to return to the county he first represented 20 years ago.
Cairns, 38, has a Dutch wife and is therefore eligible to sign as a European national. He is expected to play against Yorkshire at Headingley on Friday evening.
"I was always preparing as if I would be playing in the opening game and although I didn't expect any problems it is pleasing that the formalities have been completed," said Cairns.
"I've done well in practice but I'm reticent to make any bold statements because playing in these games is a different proposition altogether.
"There have been a lot of changes to the Notts Outlaws side and there is a healthy mix of young and experienced players and we're hopeful that we can do well in the competition."
Cairns will make a welcome return to Trent Bridge when Notts face Durham Dynamos on Saturday.

All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the action from day one of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle.
All the best images from day three of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the best images from day three of play between the England XI and Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
| Fixture |
|---|
| Saturday 4th July |
| Test Match First Test Match |
| Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Tour Match Four Day Match |
| England Lions vs Australia |
| Varsity Match 1 Day Annual Varsity Match |
| Oxford UCCE vs Cambridge UCCE |
| Sunday 5th July |
| Friends Provident Friends Provident Semi Final |
| Lancashire vs Hampshire |
| Sussex vs Gloucestershire |
| One Day Int Fourth Match |
| West Indies vs India |
| Women's ODI 4th Match |
| England Women vs Australia Women |
| Monday 6th July |
| U-19 Test Series 1st Match |
| England Under 19 vs Bangladesh Under 19 |
| Tuesday 7th July |
| County Championship - Div 1 |
| Warwickshire vs Sussex |
| County Championship - Div 2 |
| Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire |
| Result |
|---|
| Friday 3rd July |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Yorkshire Somerset won by 4 wickets. |
| Nottinghamshire vs Lancashire Match Drawn |
| Durham vs Worcestershire Durham won by 5 wickets. |
| County Championship - Division Two |
| Middlesex vs Surrey Match Drawn |
| Kent vs Gloucestershire Kent won by 76 runs. |
| Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Match Drawn |
| Friendly Match |
| Warwickshire vs England Match Drawn |
| One Day International Series |
| West Indies vs India India won by 6 wickets. (Revised target - Duckworth-Lewis system) |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 2 wickets. |
| Tuesday 30th June |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 55 runs. |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nottinghamshire | 3 | 51 |
| 2 | Lancashire | 3 | 46 |
| 3 | Hampshire | 3 | 35 |
| 4 | Durham | 3 | 34 |
| 5 | Warwickshire | 3 | 31 |
| 6 | Yorkshire | 3 | 29 |
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