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Adelaide Lang and Miklos Bolza

Ex-Test cricketer fails to quash coke supply conviction

Stuart MacGill has failed to overturn a conviction for drug supply. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

A former Australian Test cricketer has failed to overturn a conviction for drug supply over a cocaine deal that led to his assault.

Ex-legspinner Stuart MacGill was a regular user of cocaine when he introduced his dealer to another man in April 2021.

The 55-year-old knew the quantity of cocaine exchanged was valued at $330,000 but did not know the exact weight after being told the dealer wanted "a brick".

Stuart MacGill
Stuart MacGill was convicted of drug supply and sentenced a corrections order last May. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

In May 2025, he was convicted of taking part in the supply of 250g or less of cocaine and sentenced to a 22-month intensive corrections order and 495 hours of community service.

But the former cricketing great launched an appeal against both the conviction and sentence in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, which was rejected on Wednesday. 

"The appeal is dismissed," Justice Anthony Payne told the court, more than a year after the sentence was handed down.

MacGill had argued the judge erred in determining the exact quantity of drugs the cricketer thought was being exchanged during the deal. 

He did not receive any of the $330,000 from the exchange but had $1000 of drug debts wiped by his dealer.

Stuart MacGill
MacGill He retired from cricket in 2008 after a career throttled by Shane Warne. (Tony Phillips/AAP PHOTOS)

The deal led to MacGill being assaulted in a dilapidated rural shed after his dealer stole two bricks of cocaine in a subsequent drug ripoff.

Once viewed as one of the world's top spin bowlers, MacGill is now on JobSeeker while working as a casual cricket coach.

He retired from cricket in 2008 after a career throttled by the sport’s greatest legspinner, Shane Warne, who was two years his senior.

MacGill played 44 Tests, claiming 208 wickets at an average of 29.02.

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