New Zealand Cricket confirms incident

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that Chris Cairns was assaulted while leaving a nightclub in Durban on Friday morning.

New Zealand team manager Jeff Crowe said today that Cairns was not seriously hurt in the incident in which he was knocked to the ground.

Cairns was with other members of the team and accompanied by South African police close protection officers who intervened before assisting other team members to leave the nightclub.

"The incident happened outside the nightclub. Cairns had been asked to leave the nightclub by bar staff after reported loud behaviour by several members of the team," Crowe said.

"I am reviewing the incident with regard to player safety, security and behaviour and will be speaking to the players and South African police," Crowe said.

"I have, however, been advised by the South African police that the incident was unprovoked and was not related to any issue between Cairns and the person who assaulted him."