LONDON: Some of the leading names in world cricket will give evidence in the trial of former New Zealand captain Chris Cairns, who is accused of lying during a libel action.

Cairns appeared at a London court Monday before the start of a trial in which he faces charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to a libel case he brought against Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi.

Cairns won 90,000 pounds (then $140,000) in damages in 2012 after he sued Modi over an accusation of match-fixing. It is alleged that Cairns lied in that libel case when he said he had never cheated, nor contemplated cheating, at cricket.

Cairns is also accused of inducing fellow New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent to provide a false statement. He denies both accusations.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting as well as past and present New Zealand captains Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum are set to be among the witnesses.