Ex-Australia Star, Who Played 44 Tests, Punished For Involvement In Drug Deal
The court heard that MacGill introduced his regular drug dealer to his brother-in-law, Marino Sotiropoulos, at a meeting under his restaurant on Sydney's north shore.
While he denied knowledge of the transaction, prosecutors argued the deal could not have taken place without his involvement.
MacGill was involved in an incident last year where he was allegedly kidnapped. However, the alleged kidnappers -- two brothers -- have claimed that Macgill came to them willingly and was involved in the drug trade. As per Fox Sports, the brothers named Richard and Fredrick Schaaf alleged in court that MacGill had gone to the abandoned southwestern Sydney property willingly.
The police had previously said that MacGill was purely a victim and was not involved in any criminal activity.
MacGill appeared at Downing Centre District Court on Friday where the sentence of his punishment was announced. As per ESPNcricinfo, former Test captain of Australia, Steve Waugh, wrote a letter to the court in support of his former teammate.
"I believe that Stuart has the background of knowledge accumulated in his life and playing days to appreciate all the options for the future and the hard work and steps required in this process," the letter said.
(With PTI Inputs)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
31 minutes ago
- Business Standard
WTC final is most-watched non-India Test on digital platform: JioStar CEO
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia became the most-watched non-India Test match on a digital platform, according to JioStar's CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, Sanjog Gupta. The historic clash at Lord's drew massive attention from Indian audiences, with millions tuning in on JioStar despite India not being a part of the contest. In an interview with Variety, Gupta attributed the digital milestone to a well-timed cross-promotional strategy executed during IPL 2025. 'We didn't drop the full show at one go, but actually staggered it starting during the IPL,' he said, underscoring how JioStar leveraged the cricketing frenzy to create anticipation around the WTC final. $500 Million Investment in Sports Offerings As the Indian sports economy gears up to become a $130 billion industry by 2030, as projected by the Think Sports report by Google and Deloitte, JioStar is significantly scaling up its investments. Gupta revealed that the company is committing $500 million across production, marketing, and technology to deepen its presence in the live sports space. 'Our journey actually begins at that point [of rights acquisition] to grow fans for the property, to deepen fandom for that property, and to be able to extract disproportionate value from that property,' he noted. From cricket to coldplay: A broad sports vision Beyond cricket, JioStar's ambitions span diverse entertainment avenues. Reflecting on the platform's first major live event—Coldplay's concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium on January 26—Gupta called it a 'cultural zeitgeist moment.' The concert, held on India's Republic Day, symbolised the fusion of global music and national pride. Gupta further outlined a broader vision for the platform: to transform India into a sporting nation. 'Our mission is to serve one fan as many sports experiences as possible, powered by the interplay of technology and creativity,' he said, hinting at JioStar's long-term strategy of integrating immersive fan engagement with premium content. A Strategy Anchored in Fan Value Gupta reiterated that JioStar's investments in sports properties are guided by a four-point thesis centered on reach, engagement, monetization, and fandom. 'Till such time as sports, sporting properties, sports rights, continue to deliver on these four tenets of the investment thesis, we will continue to invest in them,' he asserted. With viewership benchmarks being redefined and technology playing a critical role in content delivery, JioStar aims to remain at the forefront of India's booming sports and live entertainment economy.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Shikhar Dhawan Believes Ishan Kishan Is Reason Behind His Exit from Team India
Shikhar Dhawan, once the backbone of India's white-ball setup, has finally opened up about the end of his international career—a career that saw glorious highs but also an unexpectedly quiet farewell. In a candid interview with Hindustan Times, Dhawan revealed the moment he knew his journey with the Indian team had come to an end: the day Ishan Kishan smashed a record-breaking double century in an ODI. "When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me—alright boy, this can be the end of your career," Dhawan admitted. The southpaw, known for his flamboyant stroke play and unshakable temperament, didn't seek explanations from selectors or colleagues. 'I didn't ask anyone why my name didn't come. Even if I had asked, they would have their version, and I would have mine. It doesn't change anything.' The Numbers Say It All—But Were They Enough? Despite being one of the most successful ODI openers of the past decade, Dhawan found himself edged out of the setup in the lead-up to the 2023 ODI World Cup. His exclusion was surprising, especially considering his resume: Player of the Tournament in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy India's highest run-scorer in the 2015 ODI World Cup Top-scorer again in the 2017 Champions Trophy An astonishing average of 65 in ICC ODI tournaments Between 2013 and 2022, only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma outscored Dhawan in ODIs. Yet, the Delhi-born opener wasn't picked for the home World Cup in 2023—a decision many fans and experts still struggle to justify. Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill & The Shift in White-Ball Strategy Dhawan attributes the changing of the guard to the emergence of young stars like Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, who impressed in all formats. 'Gill was doing very well in T20s and Tests. He was always around the coaches and creating his own aura,' Dhawan explained. The dynamic left-hander was gradually phased out—not due to poor form, but due to the evolving nature of white-ball cricket and the urgency for power-hitters and multi-format adaptability. "I was scoring a lot of 50s and 70s. But the big ones, the centuries, stopped. Then Ishan's 200 happened, and I just knew,' Dhawan said with the same honesty that defined his career. No Bitterness, Only Acceptance Remarkably, Dhawan harbors no resentment. There were no angry calls to selectors or emotional outbursts. 'I never bothered to call anyone. I could sense it. It's not like you'll be spoon-fed everything,' he said. Only Rahul Dravid, the then-head coach, reached out. 'He messaged me. Everyone has their own journey. I've been dropped before, and this was no different,' Dhawan noted. His level-headedness, perhaps, is what separates Dhawan from many. 'Maybe at the time, I felt I could've got more chances. But when I look back, I'm happy. I achieved a lot. I gave it everything,' he concluded. From Mohali Madness to Peaceful Retirement Dhawan's journey from scoring a blistering 187 on Test debut against Australia in 2013 to silently fading out of the national team in 2022 is both inspiring and humbling. While his Test career struggled against the moving Dukes ball in England, his white-ball achievements are etched in gold. Now 39, Dhawan has turned a new leaf with his autobiography 'The One', a reflection of his spiritual journey, resilience, and clarity in the face of professional uncertainty.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
England vs India 3rd Test: Bumrah to return to Playing 11 at Lord's
In a decision that has triggered waves of disbelief across the cricketing fraternity, India has chosen to bench its fiercest pace weapon—Jasprit Bumrah—for the second Test against England, opting instead to unleash him at the hallowed turf of Lord's for the third encounter. Bumrah's omission from the India's Playing 11 at Edgbaston, where the second Test commenced on Wednesday, was confirmed by skipper Shubman Gill at the toss. 'Just to manage his workload,' Gill told Michael Atherton, 'we did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But the third Test being at Lord's, we think there'll be more in that pitch, so we'll use him there.' Gill's logic might appear strategic, but not everyone is convinced. Former India coach Ravi Shastri led the chorus of criticism, openly questioning the wisdom of resting a match-fit Bumrah when India is grappling with one of its worst Test runs in a decade. India's recent red-ball record is a stark reminder of the slide: just one win in their last nine Tests. Defeats have come from all corners—three against New Zealand, three against Australia, and a five-wicket loss in the opening Test of England vs India Test series at Headingley. And in the midst of this slump, they've chosen to sideline their premier fast bowler—arguably the finest in the world—despite a week-long rest after the first Test. Bumrah had lit up the Leeds pitch with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, reaffirming his value in foreign conditions. Shastri didn't mince words. "This is a very important match, they've had a week off. I am a little surprised Bumrah is not playing this game. It should be taken out of the player's hand,' he said on Sky Sports. 'You have to counter-punch almost straightaway. Lord's can come later. This is the important game.' The Workload Dilemma The team management's decision aligns with their pre-series plan: Bumrah would feature in no more than three of the five Tests. Yet the timing of the rest—a must-win situation in a critical second Test—has baffled many. 'Play this one. Make it 1-1 and then give him the option: 'You want to rest at Lord's, rest at Lord's.' You think he'll rest at Lord's? No chance if you win this,' Shastri argued. India has been here before, treading the tightrope between player longevity and on-field urgency. Bumrah himself missed three months of action earlier this year due to a back spasm sustained during the Sydney Test against Australia. Since then, the selectors have remained cautious. And yet, the stakes now feel too high for caution. Lord's Awaits the Return Bumrah's return for the third Test at Lord's on July 10 now carries even more weight. Should India falter in the second Test, the series could spiral out of control. Should they triumph, the pressure to perform at Lord's will mount exponentially. In either scenario, Bumrah's comeback becomes not just a tactical play—but a turning point in a series already brimming with tension and scrutiny. Will the gamble pay off? The answers lie in the swing of a seam and the roar of Lord's.
