A FORMER English Test cricketer indecently assaulted a 15-year-old girl after inviting her to his home for a cricket lesson, a court was told yesterday.

Tony Lock, 64, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged assault in Perth, Australia, in 1987.

The woman, who is now 21, claims Mr Lock sat next to her on a two-seater couch, put his arm around her shoulder and placed her hand on his erect penis.

She says he later kissed her on the mouth and also advised her to practice bowling naked in front of a mirror. Mr Lock denied advising her to practice bowling while naked.

He testified to the court in Perth that he may have placed his arm around the girl but it had been a 'friendly gesture' with no sexual intent. He believed she had accidentally put her hand on his shorts when he squeezed her. Mr Lock denied having an erection and said he placed his hand on top of hers for 'a couple of seconds' because: 'I didn't know what she was doing.'

Mr Lock, a spin bowler, emigrated to Australia in 1963.

The trial continues.