News Digest

England cricket captain Eoin Morgan targeted in £35k blackmail plot

England one-day cricket captain Eoin Morgan has been targeted in a blackmail plot, it has been revealed. The blackmail attempt relates to a brief relationship he had with an Australian woman five years ago. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it was contacted by a man demanding a five-figure sum - widely reported to be £35,000 - before England’s tri-series match against Australia on Friday. The man was threatening to tell national newspapers about details of Morgan’s relationship with the woman.

We will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s preparation or performance in the tri-series and as we build up to the World Cup.

Paul Downton, ECB managing director

The ECB said the individual - her current boyfriend - apologised for his actions when confronted. Paul Downton, ECB managing director, said: ”I am pleased that this issue has now been brought to a swift conclusion. At this point we’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their advice, which assisted us in dealing with this in the swiftest possible manner.”