FORMER Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has launched a $2.6 million legal action against Cricket Australia for injury payments he claims to be owed.

MacGill — who earned the nickname Magilla Gorilla for his occasional outbursts as a Test cricketer — claims he was unfit to play in May 2008 due to numbness and pain in his hands, knee and shoulder.

In a writ filed with the Supreme Court today, the 43-year-old former bowler claims these symptoms, suffered over the preceding year, were due to complications from old injuries he received while playing between 1998 and 2006.

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media_camera Adam Gilchrist (R) hugs Stuart MacGill after claiming his 200th Test wicket.

media_camera MacGill claims he suffered various injuries including fractures, nerve damage and a broken nose.

During this time MacGill allegedly required medical treatment or surgery for a fractured ankle and elbow, displaced discs, broken nose, cartilage damage to his knee, nerve damage to his hands and wrists, finger pain and a shoulder injury.

Court documents allege Cricket Australia advised MacGill to return to Australia and seek medical treatment after he told the team manager and captain about his injuries in 2008.

MacGill claims Cricket Australia breached their contract by not paying him injury payments over a 104-week period where he was unable to play.

The writ states that the Australian Cricketers’ Association unsuccessfully entered into negotiations with Cricket Australia, who denied liability and refused to take the matter to mediation.

media_camera MacGill appearing his Uncorked TV series. media_camera Celebrating a wicket during a Big Bash match.

MacGill claims he is owed injury payments to the tune of $1,640,890 and interest of $984,534.

This amount includes tour payments of $846,090 for 15 away test matches, tour payments of $140,800 for 11 home game test matches, annual retainer payments of $627,000 and $27,000 prize money for nine series.

MacGill was a contracted cricket player since 1998 and entered into a one-year contract for the period 2009 to 2009 in June 2007, according to the writ.

Originally published as MacGill sues Cricket Australia for $2.6m