Cricket great Michael Slater erased from history

• Michael Slater Oval will be renamed 
• The cricket great is facing domestic violence charges 
• Wagga Wagga Council vote was split 4-3 

The name of the Michael Slater Oval has officially been changed after Wagga Wagga Council removed the disgraced Australian cricket legend of the honour.

The council has faced calls to change the name of its ground amid the former cricketer’s dramatic fall from grace.

Slater, 54, is facing 19 charges alleged to have occurred on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between December 5, 2023 and April 12 of this year.

He has been charged with domestic violence offences of unlawful stalking or intimidation, breaking into a dwelling with intent at night, common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and choking or suffocation.

Slater, who has worked as a TV commentator, has also been charged with breaching bail and 10 counts of contravening a domestic violence order. 

Wagga Wagga Council were divided when asked to vote on a name change, with the vote split 4-3 in favour of the change.

Some councillors argued that the former cricketer’s sporting exploits and contribution to the area should be considered.

Councillor Rod Kendall argued that Slater was suffering from a ‘diagnosed medical mental health issue’, adding that changing the oval’s name was counterproductive. 

Fellow Councillor Jenny McKinnon, meanwhile, has campaigned for the oval’s name to be changed.

“I’ve urged council to change the name of this oval as a matter of urgency. Glad to see that someone (maybe Council?) has taken some stealth action,” McKinnon said earlier this month after sharing a photo of Slater’s name being painted over on a sign next to the oval. 

A new name for the oval will be up for ‘public exhibition’ in a matter of days, the council confirmed. 

Contenders to replace Slater include World Cup winners Kate and Alex Blackwell, Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Alicia Quirk and ex-Matildas star Sally Shippard.

Slater’s position in the city’s sporting Hall of Fame is not under threat, Mayor Dallas Tout said.

The former batter remains behind bars after being refused bail by the Maroochydore Magistrates Court last month. 

His case is scheduled to be mentioned in the same court on Friday May 31, with his legal team expected to dispute the allegations of physical violence.