40-year-old English cricket figure investigated for sexual assault, spiking: Report

A prominent figure in English cricket is reportedly under investigation following allegations that he spiked two women and sexually assaulted one of them.

According to The Telegraph, the 40-year-old man was questioned by the Metropolitan Police in June after a complaint was filed regarding a potential spiking incident at a pub in south-west London on May 22. Spiking involves adding a substance to someone’s food or drink without their knowledge or consent.

In a statement, the police confirmed, “Two women are believed to have been spiked, with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution on Thursday, June 5. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.”

This incident comes amid a series of misconduct cases in English cricket over the past year. In August, an unnamed coach was suspended for nine months after admitting to sending sexually explicit images to two female junior staff members. His identity was redacted by an independent panel to prevent a “serious risk of harm” if disclosed.

Earlier, in November, another professional coach was suspended for six months for “inappropriate sexual behaviour” during a pre-season tour involving a men’s and women’s county team.

The Cricket Regulator announced that the independent Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) had banned the unnamed coach for nine months, with three months suspended. He was also required to complete an education course after being found guilty of misconduct.

The full judgement revealed the coach had “two separate victims in the summer of 2023 and early 2024.” He was found guilty of sending explicit images to a junior staff member and attempting to kiss another. The ruling noted that the second victim was “much younger than the Respondent and he occupied a far more senior position than she did at a county cricket club, adding that she had to interact with the Respondent because of her work.”

The sport’s governing bodies continue to face scrutiny over safeguarding and the handling of misconduct cases. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates are expected as the police review the latest allegations.