England batsman John Crawley was attacked in Cairns on Sunday night after an evening out with team-mates. The Lancashire player was set upon by an unknown assailant just after 11pm as he returned alone to the team's hotel after spending the evening socialising with team-mates and Queensland players in the city centre.
He was verbally abused and punched by the man, who was drunk, causing him to fall, sustaining cuts and bruises to his face.
Crawley did not attend yesterday's final day of England's tour match with Queensland, which the tourists won only by by one wicket, but his injuries will not affect his contention for a Test place against Australia in Brisbane on Friday.
"John was naturally upset by the matter but other than the cuts and bruises to his face, he is fine and fully fit," said team manager Graham Gooch.
Fast bowler Jason Gillespie and batsman Ricky Ponting were named yesterday in a 12-man Australia squad for the first Test. Australia's daunting pace attack will consist of Gillespie, who returns from injury, Michael Kasprowicz and Glenn McGrath. Swing bowler Damien Fleming has also been called up.
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