Ex-Australia cricketer MacGill loses appeal against cocaine conviction

Former Australia Test cricketer Stuart MacGill lost an appeal Wednesday against his conviction and sentence over a cocaine deal.

The 55-year-old retired leg-spinner was found guilty in 2025 of taking part in the supply of the drug.

He was spared jail and sentenced to an "intensive corrections order" of one year and 10 months that included 495 hours of community service.

MacGill's appeals on conviction and sentence were both dismissed by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal.

MacGill was found guilty last year after a court heard he had introduced his personal dealer to another drug supplier and that the pair went on to organise a Aus$330,000 (US$200,000) drug deal.

Australia's Stuart MacGill bowls to the West Indies during the third day of the second cricket test in St. John's, Antigua. Reuters

MacGill claimed he knew nothing about the subsequent deal.

In his appeal, MacGill said the judge had erred in allowing evidence about him having introduced other acquaintances to his dealer for small cocaine purchases.

But the appeals court found this evidence was relevant to rebut MacGill's claim that he had "nothing to do" with his personal dealer's drug activities.

It also dismissed his submission that the jury had been misdirected by the judge.

Stuart MacGill helps England's team while training for their cricket Test match against Australia in Sydney. File/AP

MacGill played 44 Tests for Australia between 1998 and 2008.

He may have made many more international appearances had his career not coincided with that of Shane Warne, widely recognised as the best leg-spin bowler of all time.

Agence France-Presse