Details emerge after Michael Slater charged over alleged DV incident
Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been charged with stalking and harassment offences over a domestic violence incident.
The 51-year-old was arrested on Wednesday at a home in Manly on Sydney's northern beaches.
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He was taken to Manly Police Station, interviewed and later charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and with "stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm".
Slater was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on November 11.
He made no comment as he left the police station with his lawyer.
In a statement, police said officers attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command began an investigation on Tuesday after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident alleged to have occurred on October 12.
Slater played in 74 Tests for Australia, scoring 5312 runs at an average of 42.83 after making his debut during the 1993 Ashes tour of England.
The opening batsman also played 42 one-day internationals, scoring just under 1000 runs before retiring from major cricket in 2004.
Michael Slater dropped by Channel 7
Slater was recently dropped from the Seven Network's commentary team for the upcoming summer cricket season, with the network choosing not to renew his contract, citing budgetary pressures.
He had previously worked as a commentator and personality for more than a decade on the rival Nine Network.
In 2021, Slater travelled to India to commentate on the Indian Premier League competition and as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated there, made controversial comments on social media criticising Australia's travel restrictions when a flight ban from India was imposed in response to escalating virus infections.
At one stage he claimed Prime Minister Scott Morrison had "blood on his hands" over his handling of the situation.
"If our government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home," Slater tweeted on May 3.
"It's a disgrace!! Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out quarantine system."
Mr Morrison later described the comments as "obviously absurd".
Slater eventually made it to the Maldives before returning to Australia, a route also taken by other Australian players, coaches and officials at the IPL.
His Twitter feed has been inactive since.
If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It's a disgrace!! 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
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 3, 2021
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. So please stop the abuse and think of the thousands dying in India each day. It's called empathy. If only our government had some!
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 3, 2021
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