- Michael Slater Oval to change name
- Cricket great faces domestic violence charges
- Wagga Wagga Council vote split 4-3
The name of the Michael Slater Oval has been officially changed after the Wagga Wagga Council removed the disgraced Australian cricket legend from honour.
The council has faced calls to change the name of its ground amid the former cricketer’s dramatic fall from grace.
Slater, 54, faces 19 charges which allegedly occurred on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between December 5, 2023 and April 12 this year.
He has been charged with domestic violence offenses of unlawful harassment or intimidation, intentional breaking and entering of a dwelling at night, common assault, assault causing bodily injury and suffocation or suffocation.
Slater, who worked as a television commentator, has also been charged with breaching bail and 10 counts of contravening a domestic violence order.
Michael Slater has been erased from history following a decision by Wagga Wagga Council
Michael Slater Oval to change name after local council vote
Wagga Wagga Council was divided when asked to vote on a name change, with the vote split 4-3 in favor of the change.
Some councilors argued that the former cricketer’s sporting exploits and contribution to the area should be considered.
Councilor Rod Kendall argued that Slater was suffering from a “diagnosed medical mental health issue” and added that renaming the oval was counterproductive.
Meanwhile, councilor Jenny McKinnon has campaigned for the oval to be renamed.
“I have urged the council to rename this oval as a matter of urgency. I’m glad to see that someone (maybe the Council?) has taken some stealth action,” McKinnon said earlier this month after sharing a photo of Slater’s name painted on a sign next to the oval.
The oval’s new name will be available for “public display” within days, the council confirmed.
The former cricket great has been accused of a series of domestic violence charges.
Contenders to replace Slater include World Cup winners Kate and Alex Blackwell, Olympic rugby sevens gold medalist Alicia Quirk and former Matildas star Sally Shippard.
Slater’s position in the city’s sports Hall of Fame is not threatened, Mayor Dallas Tout said.
The former batsman remains behind bars after being refused bail by Maroochydore Magistrates Court last month.
His case is scheduled to be heard in the same court on Friday, May 31, and his legal team is expected to contest allegations of physical violence.