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Ex-cricketer Stuart MacGill describes day of confrontation as 'emotional roller-coaster'

Former cricketer Stuart MacGill denies he ever swore at or attempted to intimidate his best friend's ex, despite describing that day as an "emotional roller-coaster," a court has heard. 

Mr MacGill, 51, denies stalking and intimidating Samantha Ford on a CBD street and in a Sydney pub in early February last year.

The ex-spin bowler is giving evidence in the Downing Centre Local Court today. 

He said he became "very concerned" about his best mate, Stephen Kerlin, because a recent break-up with Ms Ford had been "messing him around a lot".

He was increasingly worried about Mr Kerlin's welfare when he wasn't able to contact him that morning in February.

But he was relieved when he found Mr Kerlin at home in Barangaroo, and the two started drinking.

The court heard that when the two men spotted Ms Ford on Kent Street on their way to a pub, Mr Kerlin pointed and said: "There she is, the f***ing bitch".

Mr MacGill said Mr Kerlin continued to swear, but the only thing he said to Ms Ford was "go away, leave us alone" when she started walking towards them.

Shortly after, the two men were at the Captain Cook Hotel when Ms Ford arrived and Mr Kerlin began to argue with her, again swearing.

"I turned around and I said to Sam 'what are you even doing here, leave us alone'," Mr MacGill said in court today.

He said the argument "escalated pretty quickly" and became "quite animated" before Ms Ford and Mr Kerlin were told to leave by a staff member.

During the argument, he admitted he pointed at Ms Ford and told her he was calling the police.

"I didn't call triple zero because I thought it was finished," he said.

"It had been a massive roller-coaster day, because I thought he was dead, then he was alive ... I was really up and down all day, I probably started crying again."

Mr MacGill described his level of intoxication as six out of 10.

Under cross-examination, the former cricketer was asked about his police interview in which he told officers he was the one who was intimidated by Ms Ford.

He conceded he could have worded his version of events better when explaining the moment he first saw Ms Ford, and whether he was aware she followed the men to the Captain Cook Hotel.

"I'm a sportsman, I'm not a wordsmith," Mr MacGill said.

Ms Ford yesterday told the court Mr MacGill was the main antagonist and repeatedly swore at her and stood over her in the pub.

"You were angry at her ... you were of the view that this is the woman who's causing all the issues for your dear friend Steve," Police Prosecutor Sergeant Michael Cleaver asked him today.

"No, you're just making things up," Mr MacGill replied.

He described the abusive language attributed to him by Ms Ford as an "absolute fabrication".

The hearing continues.

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