Former Australian Test cricketer victim of targeted kidnapping, police say
Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was the victim of a targeted kidnapping in Sydney, police said.
The leg spinner, 50, was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man in the suburb of Cremorne on April 14 before two other men appeared and forced him into a car.
New South Wales police said MacGill, who played 44 Tests for Australia and took 208 wickets, was driven to a property in Bringelly, 30 miles away, where he was assaulted and threatened with a firearm.
He was later released and police will allege the 46-year-old man was known to MacGill, who played domestic cricket for Somerset, Devon and Nottinghamshire.
Four men, aged 27, 29, 42 and 46, were arrested in dawn raids on Wednesday.
Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton said: “No ransom demands were made. Our belief is the motive was purely financial.
“He was seen as someone that they could get money from, although no money was paid prior to him being released.”
Latest
-
NewsECB reports £16.1m loss with cash reserves down to £2.2m due to impact of Covid
Cricket as a whole in England and Wales has accrued revenue losses of more than £100m.
-
NewsMCC stresses requirement for law change to permit use of bamboo cricket bats
A Cambridge University study suggested a prototype bamboo bat was stronger, more sustainable and cheaper to produce than the willow blade.
-
NewsTymal Mills says initiatives are more important to cricket than taking a knee
The Sussex left-arm paceman feels inclusive schemes will prove more significant than gestures in broadening cricket’s appeal in years to come.
-
NewsAshley Giles will not allow England commitments to play second fiddle to IPL
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler could find themselves involved in a calendar clash.
-
NewsAshley Giles hints at possible new faces for England in New Zealand series
Giles suggested players who recently returned from the postponed Indian Premier League into quarantine may be eased back into action gently.
-
NewsCraig Overton and Lyndon James star in big wins for Somerset and Nottinghamshire
The paceman picked up five second innings wickets to set up victory.
-
NewsGloucestershire escape the bad weather as David Payne rolls over Middlesex
The seamer claimed six for 56 and 10 wickets in the match as the visitors secured a comfortable win.
-
NewsOn this day in 2004: Muttiah Muralitharan beats Shane Warne to Test record
Muralitharan surpassed Courtney Walsh’s mark of 519 Test wickets.
-
NewsCraig Overton displays all-round talents to put Somerset on top
James Bracey also excelled as Gloucestershire pushed for victory over Middlesex.
-
NewsNottinghamshire in control against Essex as 15 wickets fall at Trent Bridge
James Anderson removed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply.