Windies cricketer sues Aussie fast bowler

West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels is suing former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson for accusing him of being involved with criminal gangs in Jamaica.

Lawson’s comments, described in Samuel’s statement as “erroneous, malicious, and unjustifiable,” were made on a radio broadcast a day after the Jamaican led West Indies to their second World Twenty20 title in India earlier this year.

He was quoted as saying Lawson’s comments were not just defamatory but also deeply offensive and damaging to his character.

Samuels said he intends not only to defend his character, integrity and image as an international cricketer but also the values he has defended in his career.

“I also wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations an athlete using the media, without evidence or foundation or to go unpunished,” Samuels was quoted as saying.

His lawsuit includes journalists James Matthey, who published a news story on the website news.com.au, also accusing him of being involved with criminal gangs in Jamaica.

In his statement, Samuels said he has no criminal record nor has been the subject of any criminal investigations.

He said the comments were published and aired with the absence of conducting proper journalist research nor was he contacted to give his views on the damaging remarks about his character.