Cairns 'not surprised' by Modi's decision to appeal against libel verdict

London, Apr 5(ANI): Former Kiwi cricketer Chris Cairns is not surprised over former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi's decision to appeal against the libel case, but he is reserving further comment until more details about the appeal are revealed.

"Fair to say that it does not come as a surprise that Mr Modi is appealing and he is well within his rights to do so.In terms of Mr Modi appealing liability, he has until April 20 to submit his grounds of appeal which will be looked at by the court on paper (without a hearing)," Cairns was quoted, as saying.

"We believe it cannot be any clearer than this, however, Mr Modi is well within his rights to appeal and to go through due process. Until we know the details of Mr Modi's appeal it is hard for us to respond but I am sure we will find these out soon," he added.

His statement came after it was confirmed that former Modi would appeal against the libel verdict, after Cairns was awarded legal costs and 90,000 pounds in damages following a two-week trial in the High Court of London last month.

"There is no advantage or disadvantage to it being lodged either sooner or later, so will be submitted once the technical details behind the appeal have been agreed," stuff.co.nz quoted Modi's public relation official, Phil Mepham, as saying.

Cairns had sued Modi for his tweet that alleged that the former New Zealand cricketer had been involved in match fixing in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League.

But Justice David Bean of the London High Court ruled that the case in Cairns' favour. (ANI)