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
1 | |
9 | |
25 | |
Cars and Guitars | 37 |
Stick to Your Guns 19891990 | 47 |
I Believe 19911993 | 59 |
Blaze of Glory 19931994 | 79 |
Tubby | 101 |
Fear 19982001 | 145 |
Tugga | 163 |
Wild is the Wind 2001 | 167 |
Misunderstood 2001 | 193 |
Wanted Dead or Alive 20012002 | 223 |
In the Booth | 237 |
Ill Sleep When Im Dead 20022005 | 243 |
Career Statistics | 261 |
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1st Test 2nd Test 3rd Test Adam Gilchrist Adelaide 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 Cricket Academy Dravid dressing room dropped England feel felt Geoff going guys happened hard huge Ian Healy incredibly India inns 1 inns inns 2 res Justin Langer knew later looked Lord's loved Mark Taylor Mark Waugh match venue Matthew Hayden Matty Hayden Merv Merv Hughes Michael never night one-day Oval Pakistan pitch playing cricket pretty realised Richie Benaud rumours runs scored season seemed selectors Shane Warne shot side Simmo Slats someone sport squad started Steph Stephanie Steve Waugh sure Sydney talk team-mates Test cricket Test match Test team things thought told tough Tubby Tugga Wagga walk wanted West Indies wickets