A defamation case brought by ex-New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns against the former head of the Indian Premier League will begin in the High Court in London late today.
Cairns is taking the libel action against Lalit Modi after the founder of the lucrative Twenty20 cricket tournament implied the allrounder was involved in match-fixing.
Cairns, 41, was barred from entering the player auction for the IPL in 2010 by Modi, who said on Twitter it was because of "his past record in match-fixing".
In 2008, Cairns was suspended by the Chandigargh Lions in the rival Indian Cricket League after failing to disclose an injury.
There were rumours of illegal gambling on matches in the short-lived ICL.
Cairns has strenuously denied any involvement in match-fixing.
"The allegation made by Lalit Modi that I have been involved in match-fixing is scandalous and wholly untrue," Cairns said when announcing his intention to sue.
"For him to circulate such a falsehood around the world is outrageous."
Cairns added the allegations had damaged him professionally.
Modi welcomed the court action: "Let him sue us, then we will produce what we have to in court."
The trial, before Justice George Bean, is scheduled to begin at 11.30pm (NZT).
