HOBART, AUSTRALIA - International cricket umpire Steve Randell appeared in Hobart magistrates court Tuesday on a sexual assault charge. Randell, a 42-year-old school teacher, has stood in 36 test matches and 88 limited overs internationals and is on the international cricket council's umpiring panel. He was was not asked to plead and was remanded to reappear on July 16. The charge related to allegations going back to 1982, the court was told.

In granting bail, magistrate Sam Mollard ordered that Randell not approach any complainant. Randell's lawyer John Lewinski did not oppose the condition. Mollard refused an application by prosecutor Robyn Harper that Randell report to police twice a week because he was an international identity able to move outside the state and overseas. In applying for an adjournment, Lewinski said the defense would need six to eight weeks to prepare its case.

Australian broadcasting Corp. reported that detectives were investigating seven allegations that young girls were indecently assaulted at a north-west Tasmanian school 16 years ago. (AP)