The 54-year-old, who had pleaded not guilty, admitted to the use of cocaine and to introducing his partner s brother to his drug dealer, state broadcaster ABC reported.

Prosecutors allege that the pair later made a deal for A$330,000 ($208,197) worth of cocaine but MacGill maintained his involvement was limited to the introduction at his Sydney restaurant in April 2021.

A group of men were arrested a month later in connection with the abduction of MacGill, who said he had been taken to an abandoned house where he was beaten and threatened with a gun.

MacGill, a spin bowler who probably would have played more than 44 tests if he had not been a contemporary of Shane Warne, will return to court for sentencing in May.