Cricket NSW revokes Michael Slater’s hall of fame status following conviction

WEB DESK: Cricket New South Wales has formally revoked the hall of fame status and life membership of former Australian test batsman Michael Slater. The decision follows his conviction for a series of domestic violence offences.

The governing body’s members voted in favor of the motion during an ordinary general meeting on Monday, effectively stripping the 55-year-old of honors he has held for nearly ten years. Slater had previously appealed the decision in writing, seeking to retain his life membership after being found guilty of crimes against women in 2022.

Slater, who was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2015 and granted life membership the following year, has faced prolonged scrutiny. Since 2016, five women have obtained protection orders against him. The organization had been considering disciplinary action for several months prior to the vote.

His legal troubles include a 2022 conviction in a Sydney court, where he received a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to charges including common assault and attempted stalking. Further incidents led to another court case earlier this year, where Slater pleaded guilty to seven offences, including choking, stalking, assault, and burglary, committed against a woman in Queensland between late 2023 and early 2024. In April, he was given a suspended four-year prison sentence.

During sentencing, the presiding judge identified alcoholism as a central factor in Slater’s behavior, noting it had ended his broadcasting career. “It is clear, Mr. Slater, that you are an alcoholic. Unfortunately, your alcoholism has terminated your professional life. Your path to rehabilitation will not be simple, alcoholism is ingrained in your constitution,” the judge remarked, according to reports from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Slater enjoyed a successful playing career, representing Australia in 74 test matches and 42 one-day internationals, in addition to playing 216 first-class games for New South Wales. After being dropped from the national team during the 2001 Ashes tour, he transitioned into commentary, working for networks in both Australia and the United Kingdom. His broadcasting contract with the Seven Network was not renewed in 2021 after domestic violence allegations surfaced.