Instances where cricketers' off-field behavior has caused them trouble
Cricket might be known as the gentleman's game, but sometimes things do turn ugly off the field. Several cricketers have found themselves on the wrong side of the law for various reasons, including assault, sexual harassment and bar fights. Here is our list of cricketers who have had their troubles with the law in the past.
England cricketer charged with affray
England's Ben Stokes has been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with affray. The cricketer will face trial at the Bristol Magistrates' Court along with the two other men involved in the brawl that occurred in Bristol on September 25th. The England all-rounder now faces the possibility of jail sentence up to 3 years. His absence was missed by the English team during Ashes.
Accused of physically assaulting maid
Vinod Kambli has had his fair share of controversies off-field. But the biggest of them is, when he and his wife were accused by their domestic help of assault. She even lodged an FIR against the couple in 2015. The maid accused Kambli of beating her up and locking her in a room, when she went to him to ask for her salary.
Involved in a road rage incident where victim died
Former India cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu was involved in a road rage incident in 1988, where the 50-year-old victim died. The fight started over the victim's failed attempt to overtake and a few blows were exchanged between Sidhu and the victim, who then suffered a heart attack and died on his way to the hospital. Sidhu was in danger of facing a 10-year sentence.
South African accused of rape
Former South African pacer, Makhaya Ntini, who is the first black player to represent South Africa in cricket, was arrested in 1998 after being accused of raping a woman from London. Ntini, however, escaped a prison sentence as he could not be proved guilty of the charge. However, the speedster was in jail for a short period.
Physically assaulted 11-year-old maid
Bangladesh cricketer, Shahadat Hossain and his wife were sent to prison for assaulting their 11-year-old domestic help, whom they had appointed illegally. The cricketer, who played 36 Tests and 51 ODIs for Bangladesh, beat up his maid and tortured her. BCB suspended the cricketer from all forms of cricket and he was not picked up by any franchise in the lucrative Bangladesh Premier League.
Accused of sexual and physical assault
Australian cricketer, Luke Pomersbach found himself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly molesting a woman from the US and assaulting her fiancée who tried to stop him during the 2012 IPL in New Delhi. The incident occurred during the after-party and the league immediately suspended the player. Luke retired from cricket in 2014 citing physical and mental health issues.
