Slats: The Michael Slater StoryA cricketer as exciting as any on his day tearing apart opposing teams with skill, grace and a smile on his face. Raised mainly by his father after his mother left the family, in sports-mad Wagga Wagga, Michael Slater made his mark early in school boy cricket and hockey. Just after entering the Australian Cricket Academy he was hit by a car whilst out riding a pushbike and spent the next 12 months struggling to overcome his injuries. In 1990 at the age of 20 he was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (a form of reactive arthritis affecting the spine) a fact he kept to himself until it forced him into retirement in June 2004. Controversy, and the media, dogged him as his marriage to his childhood sweetheart broke down and he received accusations of drug-taking, adultery and a nightclub lifestyle. No matter what else he was up to Slats has always been a batsman to watch. He shares the complete story of his life including his struggles with his insecurities and mental health, his relationships with the Waugh brothers, Tubby Taylor, Gillie, Boony, the selectors, red ferraris, his childhood sweetheart and the ACB. |
Contents
Introduction Walk This Way | 1 |
Living on a Prayer 19701985 | 9 |
Its My Life 19851989 | 25 |
Copyright | |
13 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
1st Test 2nd Test 3rd Test Adam Gilchrist Adelaide Oval Ashes series Ashes tour asked Australian Cricket Australian Cricket Academy Australian team ball batsman batting Boonie bowler bowling Brisbane captain career coach couple date inns Dravid dressing room dropped England feel felt Geoff going guys hard helped huge Ian Healy incredibly India inns 1 inns inns 2 res Justin Langer knew later looked Lord's loved Mark Taylor Mark Waugh Matthew Hayden Matty Hayden Melbourne Merv Merv Hughes never night one-day Pakistan Perth playing cricket pretty realised Richie Benaud rumours runs scored season seemed selectors Shane Warne shot side Slats someone South Africa sport squad Stadium started Steph Stephanie Steve Waugh sure Sydney talk team-mates Test cricket Test match Test team things thought told tough Tubby Tugga venue date Wagga walk wanted West Indies wickets