Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater’s time in Sunshine Coast watch house

Michael Slater’s old lifestyle of television slots, travel and multimillion dollar homes are a stark contrast from the conditions he experienced in a Sunshine Coast watch house awaiting his court appearance.

Police sources have revealed details about the watch house digs disgraced former Australian cricketer Michael Slater was lodged in while awaiting his court appearance on a slew of domestic violence charges.

Dressed in prison greens with no shoes, a visible beard shadow and grey hair in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, the 54-year-old former opening batter was a far cry from the elite sportsman who averaged 42.83 runs in a test career for Australia stretching from 1993 to 2001.

He instead sat with his head in his hands in the dock on Tuesday as he was refused bail on multiple domestic violence charges.

Police allege the Noosa Heads man assaulted, stalked, strangled a woman and also broke into her home on the Sunshine Coast between December 2023 and April this year.

The court heard Slater denied the allegations of violence and would defend them.

Michael Slater was remanded in custody on Tuesday. Picture: Patrick Woods

The swashbuckling batsman, who regularly opened the batting with Mark “Tubby” Taylor, was believed to have had a love of fast cars and a flashy lifestyle life during his sporting career according to retired fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in 2017 following a pay dispute between Cricket Australia and unemployed players.

Slater also travelled domestically and internationally as a commentator for Channel 9 and 7’s cricket coverage following his retirement from all forms of the game in 2004.

In recent years Slater enjoyed multimillion-dollar sales of homes in Newport in Sydney for $5.5m, which boasted four bedrooms and views of the northern beaches in 2020.

Views from Slater’s former home at Newport in Sydney, which sold for about $5.5m in 2020. Picture: Domain

Slater driving a Ferrari in Sydney in 2002. Picture: File

The 54-year-old also sold his luxury inner city home at Randwick in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $5.65m in 2021 which hosted a resort style heated pool, cabana along with city views.

This lifestyle of television appearances, travel and wealthy homes were a stark contrast to his time at the Maroochydore watch house from Friday, April 12 until his appearance in court on Tuesday.

“It’s like a dungeon … it’s a strange place,” one police source told this publication about the Sunshine Coast police holding centre.

Maroochydore Police Station. Picture: Patrick Woods

Channel 7 cricket commentators Mel McLaughlin, Ricky Ponting and Michael Slater during their coverage in 2018. Picture: Dave Hunt

Australian captain Ricky Ponting with former cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Michael Slater and Shane Warne following Australia's victory during the Ashes in Perth in 2010. Picture: Dave Hunt

Slater was part of Channel 9’s cricket coverage. Pictured in 2008 from left to right is Mark Nicholas, Michael Slater, Simon O'Donnell, Bill Lawry, Mark Taylor, Tony Greig, Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell and Ian Healy.

The source said all watch houses were different but followed the same procedures when a prisoner is brought in following their arrest.

It’s understood prisoners have their picture taken by officers before they’re placed in a holding cell.

Depending on the time of day however, the source said it could be full with several other people.

Slater after scoring a century in at the Gabba in 1998.

Slater batted at the top of the order.

Slater may have waited a while for his turn at the charge counter where he would be processed if this was the case. This processing includes going through an accused’s property, asking health questions before a search and then a pat down. This would include a wand search, the source said.

“Depending on what happens there, if they’re objecting to bail you’ll be there until court the next day, so you’ll be lodged in the cell overnight,” they said.

The late great Shane Warne with Slater during their Channel 9 cricket coverage.

Slater regularly commentated with other cricketing greats such as Richie Benaud and Mark “Tubby” Taylor on Channel 9.

The police source said there were two beds per lodging cell however depending on capacity there have been instances in the past where two more prisoners may sleep on the floor.

In terms of Slater’s green outfit, the police source said the watch house provided prison clothes if their apparel was “unsuitable”. This may be due to drawstrings, shoe laces, belts and more.

Lights will be dimmed down about 9pm or 10pm however there will be “some sort of light” still on, according to the source, with watch house staff doing checks every hour due to it being a 24 hour centre.

Once a prisoner is officially refused bail, police will usually transfer them to a remand centre within two weeks.

Slater is due to appear in court again on May 31.