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05-05-2021
By SJA Jafri + Bureau Report
SYDNEY: Australian Test cricket great Stuart MacGill was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint for ransom and then badly beaten.
NSW Police confirmed the former leg spinner had allegedly been abducted, held and then released in an incident which occurred last month.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have arrested four men following the alleged kidnapping of MacGill at Cremorne, on Sydney’s lower north shore, where he lives.
Police said about 8pm on Wednesday, April 14, MacGill was allegedly confronted by a 46-year-old man near the intersection of Parraween and Winne streets in Cremorne.
A short time later the pair was approached by two other men, allegedly forcing MacGill into a vehicle.
He was then allegedly driven to a property at Bringelly, where the two men, plus another unknown man, allegedly assaulted him and threatened him with a firearm.
About an hour later, police claim MacGill was driven to the Belmore area and released.
The incident was reported to police a week later.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad were notified and subsequently commenced an investigation under Strike Force Cain.
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 – after 6am today.
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.
MacGill represented Australia in 44 Test matches between 1998 and 2008, serving as Shane Warne’s understudy for most of his international career.
He claimed 208 Test wickets at an average of 29.03, including 12 five-wicket hauls.
Only three leg-spin bowlers have taken more Test wickets for Australia – Richie Benaud, Clarrie Grimmett and Warne.
MacGill took 328 Sheffield Shield wickets for New South Wales, placing him equal third on the all-time list behind Geoff Lawson and Greg Matthews.
He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008.
