Ex-Australia youth player Jamie Mitchell levels sex abuse claims at 1985 tour officials

Jamie Mitchell

Former Australian youth cricketer Jamie Mitchell has levelled accusations of sexual abuse at Cricket Australia officials, taking the matter to the police.

The now 55-year-old Mitchell made the allegations in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Mitchell has also sent a list of questions to Cricket Australia, whom he contacted last August after seeing a team picture online which prompted him to seek answers.

The matter has also been reported to Australia’s corruption and abuse watchdog who contacted Federal Police in accordance with protocols.

“I’m relieved that, finally, there’s some scrutiny of that 1985 tour,” Mitchell was quoted as saying by ABC website.

“Instead of being a highlight of my cricketing life, the tour has caused me trauma and distress over many years.

“Cricket Australia has a chance to distinguish itself by facing up to this issue and doing the right thing. And that means transparency, starting with proper answers to many questions. I’m going to send a list of them to Cricket Australia.”

Mitchell alleges that during the tour he felt unwell and went to the team doctor Malcolm McKenzie, who died in 1998.

The former Victoria First-Class batsman said that McKenzie injected him with a strong drug that knocked him out for at least 10 hours.

Mitchell added that his teammates were instructed not to check up on him in his room that night, and he believes in that period he was assaulted by a leading team official.

He did not give any further details in the interview on how the events unfolded.

“My teammates left. Anyone could have come in and had access to me,” he told the ABC according to a BBC report.

“Most of the guys have said they lost me for a couple of days. They remember putting me under the shower the next morning, to get me ready for the flight. They remember trying to dress me. And when we landed, I was wheeled to my parents in a wheelchair.”

CA chief Nick Hockley said that the organisation was co-operating with police conducting the investigation.

“We are completely committed to ensuring our organization and sport provide an inclusive, safe and supportive culture for everyone. We have no tolerance for any form of abuse,” Hockley said.

“I wish to acknowledge the courage of Jamie Mitchell in bringing these allegations to our attention. We are assisting the police in their investigation and wish to support Mr. Mitchell in any way we can.

“I would like to acknowledge all survivors of abuse and commend their courage,” Hockley said.

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