Former Australian Test cricket star&nbsp;Stuart&nbsp;MacGill&nbsp;has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in a commercial-scale cocaine deal, police said Friday. The retired leg-spinner came to the attention of detectives in April 2021, when he was allegedly kidnapped by a group of armed men outside his apartment in affluent northern Sydney.

The 52-year-old restaurateur told Australian radio network SEN last year that the men "stripped me naked, beat me up, threatened me and then just dumped me". Following a lengthy investigation into the incident, police have now alleged that&nbsp;MacGill's abduction was linked to his part in a drug deal.

Police said&nbsp;MacGill&nbsp;faced one count of "knowingly" taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.&nbsp;MacGill&nbsp;was lauded as a talented bowler and played 44 Tests for Australia, but was unlucky that his career coincided with that of Shane Warne, ranked by many as the best spin bowler of all time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-makes-neck-guards-mandatory-for-batters-at-all-levels-to-impose-sanctions-if-not-followed-635954">Cricket Australia makes neck guards mandatory for batters at all levels, to impose sanctions if not followed</a>

<h3>Cricket Australia makes neck guards mandatory against pace bowlers</h3>

Australian batters will have to wear neck protectors on their helmets when facing fast or medium-pace bowlers for the 2023/24 season, Cricket Australia announced Thursday. The governing body has recommended neck guards be used since Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was killed after a bouncer hit him in the neck during a game in Sydney in 2014.

Stars such as Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and David Warner had resisted wearing them but neck protectors will be mandatory in men's and women's matches when the new season starts in early October, Cricket Australia said. "Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport," Cricket Australia's head of operations Peter Roach said in a statement.

He said the decision was based on "a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders".&nbsp;

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Former Australian Test cricket star Stuart MacGill has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in a commercial-scale cocaine deal, police said Friday. The retired leg-spinner came to the attention of detectives in April 2021, when he was allegedly kidnapped by a group of armed men outside his apartment in affluent northern Sydney.

Former Australian Test cricket star Stuart MacGill has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in a commercial-scale cocaine deal, police said Friday. The retired leg-spinner came to the attention of detectives in April 2021, when he was allegedly kidnapped by a group of armed men outside his apartment in affluent northern Sydney. The 52-year-old restaurateur told Australian radio network SEN last year that the men "stripped me naked, beat me up, threatened me and then just dumped me". Following a lengthy investigation into the incident, police have now alleged that MacGill's abduction was linked to his part in a drug deal. Police said MacGill faced one count of "knowingly" taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. MacGill was lauded as a talented bowler and played 44 Tests for Australia, but was unlucky that his career coincided with that of Shane Warne, ranked by many as the best spin bowler of all time. Also read: Cricket Australia makes neck guards mandatory for batters at all levels, to impose sanctions if not followed Cricket Australia makes neck guards mandatory against pace bowlers Australian batters will have to wear neck protectors on their helmets when facing fast or medium-pace bowlers for the 2023/24 season, Cricket Australia announced Thursday. The governing body has recommended neck guards be used since Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was killed after a bouncer hit him in the neck during a game in Sydney in 2014. Stars such as Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and David Warner had resisted wearing them but neck protectors will be mandatory in men's and women's matches when the new season starts in early October, Cricket Australia said. "Protecting the head and neck is extremely important in our sport," Cricket Australia's head of operations Peter Roach said in a statement. He said the decision was based on "a lot of advice and consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Australia spinner Stuart MacGill charged with drug supply

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and held for ransom. However, now the reports have surfaced claiming that one of those four attackers was the brother of MacGill’s ex-wife, Marino Sotiropoulos.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/too-early-to-say-australian-pacer-pat-cummins-on-t20-world-cup-venue-talks-383407" hreflang="en">'Too early to say': Australian pacer Pat Cummins on T20 World Cup venue talks</a>

Marino had allegedly confronted the 50-year-old cricketer on the corner of Parraween and Winnie streets in Cremorne at 8 pm on April 14.

MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later.

"Everyone experiences trauma differently — to be dragged into a car, driven to a remote location, physically assaulted, threatened with a firearm —I think you would be pretty worried about your own personal safety. He was seen as someone that they could get money from, although no money was paid prior to him being released.", said Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton.

The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping.&nbsp;

“Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement.

“The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid.

“Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.”

However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him.&nbsp;

MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and held for ransom. However, now the reports have surfaced claiming that one of those four attackers was the brother of MacGill’s ex-wife, Marino Sotiropoulos.

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and held for ransom. However, now the reports have surfaced claiming that one of those four attackers was the brother of MacGill’s ex-wife, Marino Sotiropoulos. ALSO READ: 'Too early to say': Australian pacer Pat Cummins on T20 World Cup venue talks Marino had allegedly confronted the 50-year-old cricketer on the corner of Parraween and Winnie streets in Cremorne at 8 pm on April 14. MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later. "Everyone experiences trauma differently — to be dragged into a car, driven to a remote location, physically assaulted, threatened with a firearm —I think you would be pretty worried about your own personal safety. He was seen as someone that they could get money from, although no money was paid prior to him being released.", said Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton. The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping. “Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement. “The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid. “Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.” However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him. MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.

Brother of former cricketer Stuart MacGill's ex-wife among those accused in his kidnapping

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-players-face-travel-obstacles-after-ipl-2021-postponement-382793" hreflang="en">England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement</a>

As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne. According to police, the 50-year-old cricketer was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man at 8 pm on April 14.

MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later.

The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating in the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping.&nbsp;

“Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement.

“The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid.

“Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.”

However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him.&nbsp;

MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.&nbsp;

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom. ALSO READ: England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne.

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was kidnapped by an alleged criminal group in an attack on Syndey's north shore and has been held for ransom. ALSO READ: England players face travel obstacles after IPL 2021 postponement As per a report in the Daily Telegraph, the former cricketing great was abducted at gunpoint from Cremorne. According to police, the 50-year-old cricketer was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man at 8 pm on April 14. MacGill was forced into a vehicle by two other men and then drove to Bringelly, which is situated in Sydney’s southwest. The police later alleged that the cricketer was assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being driven to the Belmore area and released around an hour later. The kidnapping was reported to the police two days later after which detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Cime Squad are investigating in the matter. The police have raided a number of homes in relation to kidnapping. “Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested four men – aged 27, 29, 42 and 46 – from 6am today (Wednesday 5 May 2021),” police said in a statement. “The men were taken to local police stations where charges are expected to be laid. “Officers are currently in the process of executing search warrants at homes at Sutherland, Caringbah, Brighton Le-Sands, Banksia and Marrickville.” However, it is unclear if MacGill was known to the men who kidnapped him. MacGill featured in 44 Test matches and three ODIs for Australia.

Former Aussie cricketer Stuart MacGill kidnapped and held for ransom: Reports

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Former Australia spinner Stuart MacGill charged with drug supply

Brother of former cricketer Stuart MacGill's ex-wife among those accused in his kidnapping

Former Aussie cricketer Stuart MacGill kidnapped and held for ransom: Reports