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Hobart, January 22
England’s World Cup captain Eoin Morgan has been victim of an attempted blackmail over a former relationship, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.
According to the ECB, an Australian man had demanded a five-figure sum to prevent a story about One-day skipper Morgan and a previous girlfriend appearing in national newspapers in Australia and Britain.
“The allegations related to a brief relationship Eoin had with a woman from Australia five years ago,” a statement said.
“Following liaison with the Metropolitan Police, our support team on the ground in Australia investigated the blackmail.
“This involved approaching the man in question who, when confronted, admitted and apologised for his actions, blaming jealousy.”
The man involved is understood to be in a relationship with the woman Morgan once dated.
The ECB said they would not seek to press charges.
“We will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s preparation or performance in the tri-series and as we build up to the World Cup. I am pleased that this issue has now been brought to a swift conclusion,” Paul Downton, the ECB’s managing director, said.
Morgan was named as England’s One-day captain after Alastair Cook was removed from the post in December.
After drubbing India, England face Australia
All-rounder Moises Henriques was on Thursday drafted into the Australian squad in place of fellow all-rounder Shane Watson for the tri-series match against England in Hobart on Friday.
“Watson reported tightness in his right hamstring during training at Blundstone Arena on Thursday morning and has been stood down from the match as a result,” Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement.
“Henriques will link up with the squad in Hobart Thursday evening and, as a result, will miss the Sydney Sixers — Sydney Thunder KFC Big Bash League (KFC BBL)encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground.”
— Reuters
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