A man has been arrested for approaching two female cricketers in Australia and allegedly touching them inappropriately, Indian police said.
The incident happened on Thursday in the afternoon, a day for the team after their six-wicket win in England.
The two players were walking to a cafe from their hotel when they saw a motorcycle. “The women’s security officials of the women’s croct cricket filed a complaint that two members of the team faced inappropriate behavior,” The additional representative of the police behavior, told the Indian News Agency Ani. “An FIR [first information report] was registered, and the accused were identified and arrested following a strong strategic operation. “
He was charged in sections 74 and 78 of the criminal code with assault or using criminal force against a woman with the intention of offending her modesty and integrity. “We are investigating if there are any deficiencies in the security protocol,” Dandotiya added.
Cricket Australia previously said in a statement:
Players are offered support, and will continue to play in the tournament. The International Cricket Council has been approached for comment.
Devajit Saikia, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said it was a “deeply regrettable and isolated incident”. He continued: “We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh police in arresting the accused to ensure that justice is served.
“We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure that incidents are not repeated.”
News of the arrest broke as Australia took the field for their final match, with a place in the semi-finals already up for grabs. Australia have spent many parts of this tournament in power, with seven wickets on Saturday in South Africa in their third game with Holkar Styli.
Alana King took a record seven for 18, seven-over South Africa’s Spinner Party for 97 in 24 overs, while Australia chased down the total with 98 for three in just 16.5 overs. It was the best spell in the Women’s Cricket World Cup – the first instance of a seven-wicket haul in the history of the tournament. King was six for 10 for 10 for New Zealand against India in 1982.