Cricket 2022: Cricket NSW could strip Michael Slater of life membership after DV conviction

Michael Slater’s recent conviction on domestic violence charges could cost him Cricket NSW honours with the state body believed to be considering its options.

Pictured Leaving Manly Police Station in Sydney is former Australian cricketer Michael Slater who has been arrested on domestic violence charges. Picture: Richard Dobson

Michael Slater’s conviction on domestic violence charges could prompt Cricket NSW to consider stripping his honour as a Life Member.

News Corp can reveal Slater’s recent conviction is likely to be discussed at Cricket NSW’s board meeting early next month in the context of how it might affect his status as a life member and also as an inductee of the state’s Hall of Fame.

No board discussion has yet taken place, but the initial feeling is that Slater’s Hall of Fame induction is purely an on-field achievement and is unlikely to be revoked.

However, it’s understood Slater’s life membership could face review given it is considered a more all-encompassing recognition of contribution to cricket.

Slater was convicted earlier this month on domestic violence charges where he was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and a second good behaviour bond for two years.

When handing down her verdict, Magistrate Robyn Denes described Slater’s behaviour towards two women as “controlling” and declared that there must be punishment for repeated domestic violence offending.

Michael Slater’s behaviour was described as controlling by the Magistrate who convicted him of domestic violence charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

There have been 228 life members of Cricket NSW, with this year’s recipients Dirk Wellham and Michelle Goszko honoured by chairman John Knox not only for their Test match careers but their generous contributions off the field “to help inspire more people to play and love cricket.”

When former Test captain Michael Clarke was made a life member in 2020, his charity work, Order of Australia Medal and establishment of his own cricket academy were acknowledged in the announcement.

The prospect of Slater’s honours being discussed by Cricket NSW is not the first time major sporting organisations have been forced to consider the concept of re-examining sporting achievements over serious off-field offences.

In May last year, Australian Rugby League Commission chief executive Peter V’landys confirmed that consideration would be given to stripping NRL great Jarryd Hayne of his Dally M medals, but not before the finalisation of his legal proceedings.

At the time Hayne had been found guilty of rape, but that conviction was quashed on appeal and he will face a third retrial for the sexual assault of a woman next March.

The ARL considered stripping NRL player Jarryd Hayne of his Dally M medals due to his rape convictions, since overturned. He will face a third retrial next March. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Hayne has maintained his innocence throughout.

“It’s not hard to take them away, but we don’t want to prejudice the legal process,” V’landys said on 2GB Radio before the conviction was quashed and a retrial set.

“We would like to see Jarryd exhaust his appeal process, once he does that we’ll make a decision.

“Naturally we’ll consult the Parramatta club that he played with, but I think it’s a bit early to be considering it.

“There will be consideration given, and the Commission’s already discussed it, but we don’t wish to prejudice the process.”

Aussie Rules great Wayne Carey was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2010, but his entry was delayed for two years due to his off-field issues with drugs and violence.

Despite his status as arguably the greatest player of the modern era, Carey has so far been snubbed for induction as an ‘AFL Legend.’

Slater is an all-time great of NSW and Australian Cricket and in April 2015 was inducted alongside Mollie Dive and Arthur Mailey into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame at a function in Sydney.

In September 2016, Slater was awarded life membership of Cricket NSW at a historic annual meeting.

Slater reacted to receiving his life membership by describing it as “an incredible honour.”

“I’m extremely proud to become a Cricket NSW Life Member,” Slater said at the time.

Former Test captain Mark Taylor and fast bowler Geoff Lawson stood alongside Slater, their fellow Wagga Wagga product, at the Life Membership induction.

Michael Slater playing cricket for the NSW state team.

“Michael was an exciting opening batsman for NSW and Australia who thrilled cricket audiences around the world with his daring stroke play,” then Cricket NSW chairman John Warn said at the time.

“By kissing the Coat of Arms on his helmet at Lord’s after scoring a century in just his second Test Michael began a modern trend which highlighted how much playing for Australia meant to him.

“Michael is one of many fine sportsmen who hail from Wagga, including prominent Australian players Mark Taylor and Geoff Lawson, both of whom spoke to his induction.”

At his Hall of Fame announcement, then Cricket NSW chief executive Andrew Jones said the award was fitting recognition of Slater’s stellar career as one of Australia’s most successful and influential Test opening batsmen.

“Michael Slater was one of the most exciting batsmen of his era and a joy to watch,” Jones said at the time.

“They (Slater and fellow inductees) now sit alongside the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Belinda Clark and Steve Waugh. It is a terrific achievement about which Michael, his family … can be very proud.”