Ex-Australian Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has been spared jail despite a “colossal lapse in judgment” over a cocaine deal which led to his terrifying kidnapping.

Former legspinner MacGill was a regular user of cocaine when he took part in the supply of drugs by introducing his regular dealer to his brother-in-law in April 2021.

The 54-year-old knew the cocaine was worth $330,000 but did not know the exact weight after being told the dealer, known as Person A during the trial, wanted “a brick”.

One kilogram of cocaine was eventually exchanged for the cash.

Jurors in March acquitted MacGill of knowingly taking part in a large commercial drug supply but found him guilty of a lesser drug supply charge.

MacGill appeared at Downing Centre District Court on Friday where a statement from former Test captain Steve Waugh supported his colleague.

The 54-year-old was sentenced to an intensive corrections order of one year and 10 months.

MacGill must complete 495 hours of community service work and undergo drug testing as part of the order, in lieu of a prison term.

Judge Nicole Noman found the former legspinner played an indispensable role in setting up the cocaine deal.

“His role was essential to bring the parties together and for the transaction to occur,” she said.

He did not receive any of the $330,000 but had $1000 of drug debts wiped by his dealer.

The lucrative cocaine deal put MacGill on the path to his violent kidnapping after his drug dealer stole two bricks of cocaine in a subsequent drug ripoff.

MacGill was bundled into a car and taken to a home in western Sydney where he was stripped and beaten before being released.

“He was understandably scared and threatened,” Noman said.

She reduced his sentence, recognising the “extreme retaliation” taken against MacGill after the drug deal.

Because of the kidnapping, the former cricketer had been diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, the judge heard.

The incident then spurred adverse media reports against him, the judge found.

“The offender’s colossal lapse of judgment has been causative of a very public fall from grace,” she said.

Once viewed as one of Australia’s top spin bowlers, MacGill is now on JobSeeker while working as a casual cricket coach.

Noman found that the 54-year-old deliberately lied to police about his involvement in the drug deal and gave incorrect instructions to his lawyers during the trial about the setting in which the introduction took place.

He had shown no remorse, continuing to plead his innocence despite the jury’s guilty verdict for knowingly taking part in the supply of between five and 250 grams of cocaine, she said.

“Drugs – even cocaine – cause direct and indirect harm to the community,” Noman said.

“Given the offender’s regular use… he should well have understood the scope of the harm.”

As with earlier court appearances, MacGill said nothing to reporters outside court after being sentenced.

But an appeal of both conviction and sentence was being considered, barrister Thos Hodgson said.

The former cricketer walking from court without being put behind bars was a win “of sorts”, he said.

MacGill retired from cricket in 2008 after playing 44 Tests in which he claimed 208 wickets.