Two Australian cricketers who were on a coffee run in the Indian city of Indore on Thursday raised alarms that they were allegedly being molested and followed by sending a text message to the team’s security manager Danny Simmons.
The Australian Cricketers’ Association has also insisted that the players did not break World Cup security protocols, with its CEO Paul Marsh, delivering an update on the two women, stating that they were ‘shaken up, but OK’.
It comes as a man accused of trying to grope the two players has since been charged by Indian police under sections 74 and 78 of the criminal code, relating to assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to offend her modesty and stalking.
According to The Times of India, Australia’s security manager, Simmons, received a message from one of the players, which read: ‘Hey SoS [Simmons’ nickname], just sending you my live location… there’s a guy following us trying to grab us.’
Simmons then informed the police that one of the players had messaged him, alleging that a man had attempted to touch them just 500m from the team’s hotel.
The incident occurred as the players were walking to a café near their hotel on Ring Road ahead of their final league match of the Women’s World Cup against South Africa.
Two Australian women’s cricketers were allegedly molested while they were out for a walk for coffee in India
According to reports, both players were ‘touched inappropriately’ by a man on a motorcycle. Cricket Australia confirmed the incident in an official statement.
‘CA can confirm two members of the Australian Women’s team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in Indore,’ the statement said.
‘The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter.’
Now, Marsh has praised the fast response from Simmons and local authorities, but he denied claims that the players had broken any security protocols. It is understood that the players had advised team security that they were heading out as a group, rather than going out individually.
‘Obviously, it was distressing; they were shaken up by it, but they’re OK,’ Marsh said.
‘The response from the Australian team’s security manager on the ground in India and the local police was excellent. Players spend long periods of time overseas and they need to be able to get out of the hotel from time to time.
‘This is an incident that we hope is never repeated.’
The man accused of allegedly trying to grope Aussie women cricket players has since emerged from an Indian police station with serious injuries.
The man charged with molesting Australian women cricket players, is pictured in an Indian police station with his injuries
He was apprehended and arrested a short time later on Thursday evening, with The Times of India identifying him as Akil Khan.
New vision has shown him handcuffed and hobbling under police guard, with injuries Indian network CNN-News18 are describing as a broken arm and a broken leg.
Indore’s additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya said the arrest came after swift coordination between police and Australian security staff.
‘We had received a complaint from the Australian security team that two players faced inappropriate behaviour while returning to the hotel from a café,’ Dandotiya said.
‘A case was registered on Thursday night, and the accused has been arrested under an intensive strategic operation.’
Indian authorities have reportedly given assurances to the team that their safety will be maintained for the rest of the tour.
‘This is a deeply regrettable and isolated incident,’ Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement.
‘India has always been known for its warmth, hospitality, and care towards all guests. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts.
Indian Police have reportedly taken a 30-year-old man into custody over the alleged attack (pictured is the Australian Women’s Cricket Team and coaching and support staff in India)
‘We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh Police in apprehending the accused. The law will take its due course to ensure justice is served.
‘We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure such incidents are not repeated.’
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association said in a statement that it was ‘deeply pained and shocked by the disturbing incident involving misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.’
‘As the host, MPCA extends sincere apologies to the Australian women’s team for this deeply distressing and unfortunate incident,’ the statement read.
The Australian players were offered counselling, and chose to play on in the tournament.
Alana King’s superb World Cup continued, with the legspinner claiming 7-18 to bowl Australia to a seven-wicket win over South Africa.
