Former Aussie cricket great Michael Slater charged with domestic violence offences

Former Australian cricket great Michael Slater will face court next month charged with stalking or intimidating his partner.

NSW Police confirmed an investigation was launched after officers received reports of a domestic violence incident alleged to have occurred on October 12.

Slater, 51, was arrested at his home in Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches about 9.20am on Wednesday and taken to Manly police station.

Police said he was charged at the station with use of a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and stalking or intimidating, with the intention of causing intend fear of physical harm.

Slater was granted conditional bail and is due to front Waverley Local Court on November 11.

Slater, a flamboyant opening batsman, played 74 Tests and 42 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1993 and 2001 before moving into commentary.

He was recently axed by the Channel 7’s cricket coverage team following a string of tweets criticising the Prime Minister while staying in the Maldives when the Indian Premier League was suspended in May.

Slater was commentating on the tournament until he left early due to India’s escalating Covid-19 crisis, but at the time the Australian government had banned overseas arrivals from the subcontinent nation, including returning Australians.

“If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace!!” Slater tweeted in May.

“Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out quarantine system.

“I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect.

“And for those who think this is a money exercise. Well forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison labelled Slater tweets “absurd”.

Earlier this month, Channel 7 Head of Sport Lewis Martin said in a statement the network decided not to renew Slater’s contract for the 2021-22 summer.

“Unfortunately business decisions have to be made from time to time and unfortunately we’re not in a position to renew it,” he said.