This is a bit 'tin foil hat' but without anyone knowing how far the web actually spreads anything is possible...
What if Cairns is no where near the top and his involvement isn't as big on the scale of it all as it seems. If the fixing ring is run like the mafia then there could be no end to who is involved and who they could have control over. I'm talking ICC and ACSU. If these 'fixers' have involved/threatened peoples families (which has been suggested) they could gain control of nearly anyone. If they managed to infiltrate the ACSU, they could protect their 'employed' players and also 'out' who they want to (could explain the leaked ACSU info on Vincent/McCullum). Big name Indian players would be far more likely to be protected than a few Kiwi guys who no longer have any connection or incriminating information about the ring - unless that's what Cairns thinks will save him, the info he has about the ring leaders knowing they might be able to bargain. That's all very far fetched but who knows what's below the surface. The other end of the scale is Cairns is the center of it and it won't involve too many others but I don't think that will be the case.