Former Australia spinner Stuart MacGill avoided imprisonment but received a community service order after being found guilty of supplying cocaine on Friday.

MacGill was found guilty of facilitating a drug transaction between his supplier and brother-in-law in April 2021. The Downing Centre District Court mandated an intensive corrections order spanning one year and 10 months. The order by the Court included 495 hours of community service and regular drug testing.

The 54-year-old, who played 47 matches - 44 Tests and 3 ODIs - for Australia, developed a cocaine habit after retirement. He was convicted in March for supplying an indictable quantity of the substance.

The court observed that while MacGill was aware of the transaction, he remained unaware of the one-kilogram quantity involved. He was cleared of involvement in large-scale commercial drug supply.

Following the cocaine transaction, MacGill was kidnapped. Assailants forced him into a vehicle and transported him to an abandoned structure in Sydney's western suburbs, where he endured assault and threats before being released.

MacGill allegedly reported the incident to authorities six days later and denied his involvement in the drug transaction. Authorities arrested him in 2023.

On Friday, Judge Nicole Noman said: "His role was essential to bring the parties together and for the transaction to occur."

"The offender's colossal lapse of judgment has been causative of a very public fall from grace."

Despite being a talented bowler, MacGill, who played for Australia from 1988 to 2008, failed to come out of the shadow of Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, the second-highest wicket-taker in the all-time list.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Cricket, Sports and around the world.