New Zealand cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn to undergo rape trail, won’t be available for national selection

Scott Kuggeleijn a medium pace bowler who represents Northern Districts in New Zealand’s domestic cricket who is accused of raping a 21-year-old woman in May 2015 has requested the New Zealand Cricket to not consider him for national selection. The jury hearing the case was unable to reach a verdict and last year and thus had chosen to dismiss the case. Very recently the jury ordered a retrial which will be held in early 2017 in Hamilton.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White was quoted by Radionz as saying, “Under normal circumstances, Kuggeleijn would have been selected in the New Zealand A side to play Pakistan later this month, but he has asked to be temporarily excused from any national representation.”

White expressed his disappointment on behalf of both, the board and the player, as they had to face such a tough situation. He also added that Kuggeleijn was a promising cricket and one to someone to watch out for in the near future.

The New Zealand Herald mentioned that they got their hands at a copy of the official statement issued by NZC on the issue. The statement read, “He (Kuggeleijn) believes any potential selection in a New Zealand team at any level prior to this event would likely be a significant distraction for him and the game itself – which is not a situation he desires.”

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“New Zealand Cricket agrees with his assessment and concerns and has granted the request. He is, therefore, unavailable for selection,” it further stated.

Kuggeleijn who was regularly termed a promising player is 24-year-old made his debut for the Northern Districts cricket team in the 2011/12 season and by now has appeared in 44 first-class matches. He has 147 FC wickets to his name and has a batting average of 31.88.