Chris Cairns is a relieved man now and the former New Zealand all-rounder, who won his libel case against former Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi, said he was happy that his career had remained untarnished and he could now walk into a cricket field with his ‘head held high'.

“For me it's always about the present and the future, but the one thing I am proud of is what I have achieved for New Zealand,'' Cairns told TV3's Campbell Live, adding, "By receiving this complete vindication, it means my past is preserved. I can now move on.''

Cairns said the London High Court's verdict has lifted a "dark cloud" that has been over him for the past two years.  "Today's verdict lifts a dark cloud that has been over me for the past two years. I feel mixed emotions. Firstly sadness that I should ever have had to put myself, my friends and my family through this because of one man's misdirected allegations," Cairns said in a statement on Monday.

It must be mentioned that Cairns on Monday had won his libel case against ex-Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi, who has been asked to pay 90,000 pounds in damages to the cricketer.

Justice David Bean, in his first decision on the Twitter libel case, gave the verdict in favour of Cairns. Both parties were not present in the court when the verdict was pronounced.

Cairns had sued Modi over a Tweet made Jan 5, 2010. Modi had tweeted that the New Zealander was removed from the IPL auction list because of his involvement in alleged match-fixing.

Cairns vehemently denied the claims and Modi responded saying: "Let him sue us, then we will produce what we have in court."

Cairns then issued a writ in London's High Court in January 2010, shortly after Modi's tweets.

However, according to reports Lalit Modi is set to appeal against the libel case.

Meanwhile Chris Cairns hopes he can now get involved with New Zealand Cricket again after winning his match fixing libel case against Modi. According to news reports in New Zealand media, Cairns has expressed his interest to work in cricket. (ISN/Agencies)