Australian cricket reporter Daniel Brettig mugged in Dominican capital

ROSEAU, Dominica: An Australian cricket reporter was mugged by men armed with knives just minutes from the hotel where the Australian cricket side was staying in the Dominican capital, prompting a warning about players' safety.

Daniel Brettig, a correspondent for ESPNCricinfo, was attacked by two men and thrown to the ground after withdrawing cash from an ATM in Roseau, less than five minute's walk from the hotel where the Australian team have been staying for the first Test of their series against the West Indies.

He had his wallet and phones stolen and was taken to hospital after sustaining a bloody nose, a cut to the head and other grazes.

The Australian players were made aware of the incident on Sunday morning via a text message from team manager Gavin Dovey and were reminded to take extra care when leaving their hotel in Roseau. The Australians are due to fly out to Jamaica, the site of the second Test, on Monday.

"They approached me in a manner that suggested I was going to get hurt so I turned to run," Brettig said of his attackers.

"They caught up to me pretty quickly, grabbed me and slammed me on the ground nose first. They emptied my pockets, took my phones, took my wallet. They had knives and I had a tear in one of my pockets like it was from a knife."