Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill has been found guilty of involvement in the supply of cocaine in Sydney.

MacGill, 54, who played 44 test matches for Australia as a leg-spinner and claimed 208 wickets, was acquitted of knowingly participating in the distribution of a large commercial quantity of an illegal drug. However, a jury found him guilty of being involved in the supply of a prohibited substance.

Despite pleading not guilty, MacGill is set to appear in court for sentencing on May 9.

The case stemmed from an introduction he made in April 2021 between a cocaine dealer and another individual.

On Thursday, the New South Wales District Court jury heard that while MacGill’s role was limited to this introduction, the dealer was also implicated in two other alleged drug transactions.

According to the Australian Associated Press, the jury was informed that a deal worth 330,000 Australian dollars ($210,000) was arranged between the dealer, identified in court as ‘Person A,’ and Marino Sotiropoulos, the brother of MacGill’s partner.

The jury also learned that the former cricketer was a frequent cocaine user and had been purchasing the drug from the dealer for several years.

MacGill previously made headlines in 2021 when he was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, and threatened at gunpoint before being released. New South Wales police later arrested and charged four men in connection with the incident, during which MacGill was extensively interviewed.

MacGill’s international career, spanning from 1988 to 2008, was often overshadowed by legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, who ranks second among the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history.

Source: With input from agency