Michael Slater breaks his silence: Cricketer addresses assault charges and domestic violence allegations
- Replies 15
Ah, cricket. What a quintessentially Australian pastime! Many Aussies hold dear memories of this sport. Whether it's the exhilaration of witnessing our Baggy Green heroes battling it against bold contenders on the soil of iconic cricket grounds or simply a spirited match in the backyard with the grandkids on a warm weekend afternoon.
But today, dear members, we present to you a cricket story of a different kind. Brace yourselves for controversy, intrigue, alleged crimes, courtrooms, and a famous Aussie cricketer—none other than Michael Slater.
Now, for those who may be unfamiliar, Michael 'Slats' Slater is a seasoned 53-year-old maestro of Australian cricket. With an impressive tally of 74 Test Matches under his belt, he has notched up over 5,000 runs at a remarkable average of 42.83.
And proving his mettle beyond the realm of Test Cricket, he has also sported the vibrant canary yellow jersey in 42 one-day internationals.
After retiring from cricket in 2004, Slater effortlessly transitioned into the world of broadcasting. The cameras were no strangers to this cricketing star, and he found equal success in his new venture. However, lately, the headlines surrounding this cricketer have shifted focus from boundaries and wickets to courtroom dramas.
In recent reports, Slater pleaded not guilty to one count of assaulting police and two counts of obstructing them. These charges stemmed from an incident where the police conducted a welfare check at Slater's residence.
'I had a good friend reach out. The police were doing their job, and they came to the door. I was really startled and sort of tried to refuse them entrance to my apartment, and that's basically the amount of it,' he explained.
'The ambulance then came. I spent the night in the hospital under observation, and then everything's sort of back on track.'
According to the official records, the incident happened in late March, when Queensland police responded to an alleged domestic violence-related matter and medical incident. It was during this that Slater reportedly obstructed officers at his Noosa Heads address, allegedly assaulting one, who suffered a cut to his hand.
Despite these charges and the courtroom drama, Slater is candid about his mental health struggles.
'It's been highly embarrassing on a personal level to undergo everything that's happened... I've lost a lot in the last couple of years,' he shared, adding that balancing personal difficulties with public scrutiny can be challenging.
The former opening batsman is determined to work on his mental health and keep the focus on his three children. In the face of such difficult circumstances, Slater insisted that he doesn't have a bad retirement from cricket.
'I've made some mistakes, and I think there have been some mistruths as well,' he said. 'But we fight hard to get on top of things, and life's not easy, but I've got three beautiful kids where my focus is and looking for a job.'
In his latest statement to the media, the 53-year-old indicated that he plans to contest the charges against him after his initial appearance in April. However, on Tuesday (July 4), he was not present at the Noosa Magistrates Court, where his case was mentioned.
Instead, his lawyers sent a letter to the court, informing them that they had thoroughly reviewed the body-worn camera footage related to the alleged incident. They requested a one-month adjournment to allow for additional case conferencing and for the police to provide their response to the footage.
Magistrate Christopher Callaghan granted the request and adjourned the matter until August 1. In the meantime, Mr Slater's bail will continue.
This story serves as a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their level of success. It's a great opportunity for us all to rally together and show support, recognising that these challenges are always valid and deserve empathy.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time or dealing with domestic violence, it's crucial to encourage them to seek help. In Australia, you can reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline at 13 11 14, or BeyondBlue at 1300 22 4636.
We're curious to hear your thoughts on this story, members. Feel free to share your views in the comments section below.
But today, dear members, we present to you a cricket story of a different kind. Brace yourselves for controversy, intrigue, alleged crimes, courtrooms, and a famous Aussie cricketer—none other than Michael Slater.
Now, for those who may be unfamiliar, Michael 'Slats' Slater is a seasoned 53-year-old maestro of Australian cricket. With an impressive tally of 74 Test Matches under his belt, he has notched up over 5,000 runs at a remarkable average of 42.83.
And proving his mettle beyond the realm of Test Cricket, he has also sported the vibrant canary yellow jersey in 42 one-day internationals.
Slater has pleaded not guilty to assaulting and obstructing Queensland police, describing the incident as a misunderstanding. Credit: Facebook/Australian Men's Cricket Team.
After retiring from cricket in 2004, Slater effortlessly transitioned into the world of broadcasting. The cameras were no strangers to this cricketing star, and he found equal success in his new venture. However, lately, the headlines surrounding this cricketer have shifted focus from boundaries and wickets to courtroom dramas.
In recent reports, Slater pleaded not guilty to one count of assaulting police and two counts of obstructing them. These charges stemmed from an incident where the police conducted a welfare check at Slater's residence.
'I had a good friend reach out. The police were doing their job, and they came to the door. I was really startled and sort of tried to refuse them entrance to my apartment, and that's basically the amount of it,' he explained.
'The ambulance then came. I spent the night in the hospital under observation, and then everything's sort of back on track.'
According to the official records, the incident happened in late March, when Queensland police responded to an alleged domestic violence-related matter and medical incident. It was during this that Slater reportedly obstructed officers at his Noosa Heads address, allegedly assaulting one, who suffered a cut to his hand.
Despite these charges and the courtroom drama, Slater is candid about his mental health struggles.
'It's been highly embarrassing on a personal level to undergo everything that's happened... I've lost a lot in the last couple of years,' he shared, adding that balancing personal difficulties with public scrutiny can be challenging.
The former opening batsman is determined to work on his mental health and keep the focus on his three children. In the face of such difficult circumstances, Slater insisted that he doesn't have a bad retirement from cricket.
'I've made some mistakes, and I think there have been some mistruths as well,' he said. 'But we fight hard to get on top of things, and life's not easy, but I've got three beautiful kids where my focus is and looking for a job.'
In his latest statement to the media, the 53-year-old indicated that he plans to contest the charges against him after his initial appearance in April. However, on Tuesday (July 4), he was not present at the Noosa Magistrates Court, where his case was mentioned.
Instead, his lawyers sent a letter to the court, informing them that they had thoroughly reviewed the body-worn camera footage related to the alleged incident. They requested a one-month adjournment to allow for additional case conferencing and for the police to provide their response to the footage.
Magistrate Christopher Callaghan granted the request and adjourned the matter until August 1. In the meantime, Mr Slater's bail will continue.
This story serves as a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their level of success. It's a great opportunity for us all to rally together and show support, recognising that these challenges are always valid and deserve empathy.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time or dealing with domestic violence, it's crucial to encourage them to seek help. In Australia, you can reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline at 13 11 14, or BeyondBlue at 1300 22 4636.
We're curious to hear your thoughts on this story, members. Feel free to share your views in the comments section below.
.png){kind=icon}
