England cricketers caught up in armed heist

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England cricketers caught up in robbery

By Our Foreign Staff
13/02/2007



England's three-month tour of Australia ended with a frightening conclusion when their physiotherapist was robbed at knife-point by a gang in the team hotel in Sydney.

Five members of the squad, including batsman Andrew Strauss, the former stand-in captain, witnessed the robbery at about 4.15am where Dean Conway, England's physio, was robbed of his wallet and mobile phone by four balaclava-clad men.

Mr Conway, 41, who had played top-level rugby union, was not harmed in the raid at the Radisson Plaza Hotel but an England team spokesman said the robbery was "a pretty scary affair".

"Knives were produced and threats were made, but fortunately no one was badly hurt. It all happened quite quickly, from all accounts, and it took everyone by surprise. It's probably a good thing that most of them are heading home today."

Strauss was reported as saying that the experience was "a bit hairy especially because we'd had a drink or two".

A team security guard managed to shepherd Strauss, batting coach Matthew Maynard, bowling coach Kevin Shine, analyst Mark Garaway and security officer Reg Dickason into another room as the four thieves broke into the hotel lobby.

Mr Conway, however, had moved away from the group to take a telephone call, and returned to the lobby area to find the hotel staff lying on the floor and the gang demanding access to the hotel safe.

The thieves then turned their attention to Mr Conway, and stole his phone and wallet before running out of the Radisson. They were last seen escaping in a white sedan car, police said.

Strauss and the England party had arrived at the hotel in the early hours after celebrating England's win over Australia on Sunday, which secured the Commonwealth Bank Series.

New South Wales Police confirmed last night that the gang had forced open the locked doors of the hotel. There was no evidence that they had deliberately targeted the England cricket team.

A spokesman said: "The four men managed to break the door with a jemmy at knife-point demanded cash and the whereabouts of the hotel safe.

"They got away with a small amount of cash but no one was injured. They fled and are still at large.



The England team began their journey home yesterday, just a few hours after the robbery. After a short break they will travel to the Caribbean for the World Cup, which starts next month.

telegraph.co.uk