Chris Cairns has been moved to tears, speaking of his relief at being found not guilty after an eight-week London trial over match-fixing allegations.
The former New Zealand cricket captain was cleared of a perjury charge, and both he and his co-accused, Andrew Fitch-Holland, were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice.
The jury at London's Southwark Crown Court took 10 hours and 17 minutes of deliberation to reach their verdicts on Monday morning (local time).
When Cairns emerged from court, the first thing he did was thank the jury, who had walked by en masse a few minutes earlier.
He said the British legal system had vindicated him.
"It's a pretty robust system, and the jury today came back with a not guilty verdict, and I couldn't be more happy," Cairns told waiting media.
"My legal team have been superb throughout and I can't thank them enough, there's been a lot of people behind the scenes who have helped out.
"Other than being exhausted, very, very tired, I'm looking forward to getting home and seeing my family and being with them."
While Cairns did not betray his emotions when the verdict came, he said the reason for that was that he was unable to hear the foreman's words.
"I didn't hear what he had said, and so when I saw Fitch's face and jubilation ... it came home to roost what had occurred.
"I've been put through the mill and come out the other side, so I'm just a very happy man."
His lawyer Colin Nott, who stood by his side, swiftly added that Cairns had emerged from the trial with his reputation for good character retained.
Cairns has been dogged by allegations he was a cheat and a fixer since 2008. He said he had been damaged by that, and for now his only plan, in Nott's words, was to move "onwards and upwards".
However, Indian businessman Lalit Modi - who Cairns successfully sued in 2012 over match-fixing allegations - may try to claw back more that $1 million in costs and damages he was made to pay.
It was Cairns' statement in the libel trial, that he had "never, ever cheated at cricket", that later sparked the perjury case.
Modi immediately responded to Monday's verdict.
"I am aware of the verdict at Southwark Crown Court. As you know, I am limited in what I can say as I am restricted by the injunction put in place following the 2012 libel trial," he said.
"I will consider how this affects my own civil claim against Mr Cairns in due course."
Cairns told media he would think about Modi "next week".
"I will just deal with this one at the moment, and get through today."
The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement acknowledging the verdict, saying it had the "utmost respect for the process that has been followed".
"The ICC and its [Anti-Corruption Unit] will continue to work closely with and provide all possible support to players in order that the fight against corruption can be tackled effectively and collectively," it said.
Cairns offered his first smile when his family were mentioned, then slipped to the verge of tears when he said he had spoken to his wife Mel by phone after the verdict.
His thoughts were especially with his legendary father Lance Cairns, 66, the Kiwi folk hero who used his shoulderless bat "Excalibur" to pound six sixes off the Australian attack at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"He's a cricket man through and through. I don't know what cricket holds for me, but I'm just happy for my father and my mother, you know, that they can hold their heads high in New Zealand."
He was blunt that he could never work in cricket again: "No, no," he said, adding "it's my choice."
"I think it would be a pretty hard environment to go back into, there's been a a lot of damage done and I think that that's unfortunate, and sad."
Cairns, who conducted his impromptu press conference through the noise of construction work and a leaf blower, accepted there would be those who still considered him a fixer and a cheat.
He admitted the allegations had taken a toll on his reputation, which once had him as one of the world's best all-rounders and high-regarded in New Zealand cricket circles.
"Reputationally, I'm completely scorched, burnt completely, but it hasn't stopped me and it won't stop me. I'll keep going forward."
Fitch-Holland told reporters the "hellish nightmare" was now over, and he was looking forward to spending time with his partner.
It was not specified whether the jury was split or unanimous, only that at least 10 members were convinced Cairns was not guilty.
Stuff.co.nz
