Cricket NSW has removed former Australian cricketer Michael Slater from its Hall of Fame and revoked his life membership following domestic violence offences. The decision was taken during a general public meeting on Monday (December 1) evening after he was found guilty on domestic violence charges.
Slater represented the Australian cricket team between 1993 and 2001. He scored 5,312 runs in 74 Test matches at an average of 42.84, including 14 centuries and 21 half-centuries, with a highest score of 219. The former right-handed batsman scored 987 runs in 42 ODIs at an average of 24.07, including nine half-centuries.
After retiring from cricket, Slater moved into broadcasting, but his commentary contract expired in 2021. She was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2015, along with Molly Dives and Arthur Mealey.
Cricket NSW removes Michael Slater from Hall of Fame and revokes life membership
Cricket NSW has removed Michael Slater from its Hall of Fame and stripped him of his life membership. The decision comes after several domestic violence crimes involving him.
Since 2016, five women in NSW have taken out protection orders against Slater, leading Cricket NSW to review his honour.
On Monday night, members and delegates voted to revoke his life membership. Slater submitted a written request asking them to let him keep it, but they still decided to remove it.
Slater was originally made a life member in 2016. With this decision, he is no longer part of the group that also includes Mark Taylor, Belinda Clark, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Lisa Sthalekar, the Waugh brothers, Simon Katich, Greg Matthews and Geoff Lawson.
Michael Slater was sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court
Michael Slater was sentenced in Maroochydore District Court earlier this year. He had pleaded guilty to several charges, including two counts of strangulation of a woman.
At sentencing, Judge Glen Cash said Slater’s behavior was linked to his long-term battle with alcohol addiction. The judge also noted that the addiction had already had a serious impact on Slater’s cricket and professional life.
Judge Glen Cash told the court in April, “It is clear, Mr. Slater, that you are an alcoholic. Sadly, your addiction to alcohol has taken away your vocation. Your rehabilitation will not be easy – addiction to alcohol is part of your nature.”
Michael Slater made his Test debut for Australia in 1993
Michael Slater made his Test debut in 1993 at Old Trafford, the same match in which Shane Warne bowled his famous “ball of the century”. Over the years, Slater formed a strong opening partnership with Mark Taylor for New South Wales and Australia.
After being dropped during the 2001 Ashes tour, Slater moved away from international cricket and went into broadcasting. He most recently worked with Channel Seven as a commentator in Australia and the UK, but his contract was not renewed in 2021.
Last year, the Wagga Wagga City Council debated for a month over whether to remove his name from the Michael Slater Oval. The field was named after him in 2014, long before he was charged with domestic violence. The council voted 4-3 in favor of changing the name of the venue.
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