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Slater Retires

Slats4ever

International Vice-Captain
Michael Slater today announced his retirement from cricket.

I know he will live on in my mind as the most exciting Test Batsman of the 90's! His average of 42 doesn't quite reflect how much entertainment this guy bought the game. His boyish attitude at the crease, his craving for runs... everything about him made me enjoy watching his batting.

The way he stood up to critics when they were putting him down, stood up for catches he believed were held made him an inspiration for playing cricket.

He was a guy who got a rough treatment by selectors. He was left out of the OD side for Gilchrist and Waugh, when both of them could've batted down the order and made way for this juggernaut. He also suffered a long time away from the test team which wasn't warranted.

I will never forget the innings of 96 against the Pom's in Sydney a while ago. He got dropped 3 or 4 times but was scoring so quickly the crowd didn't care. It was like a blink of the eye and he was there.

Long Live Slats....
 

luckyeddie

Cricket Web Staff Member
Whenever I went to watch him playing for Derbyshire he was crap.
Well, nearly all the time.
All right, only some of the time.
Occasionally.
And Barnett.

Seriously, he really struggled in two seasons at Derbyshire, but I saw him give the Northants attack a mighty caning one day, though (big Dev was playing for them too - got spanked).

Couldn't get any food at lunchtime during the game, IIRC. (goes off to check scorecard, realises Ian Blackwell was playing for Derbyshire at the time, understands now)
 

marc71178

Eyes not spreadsheets
Slats4ever said:
He was a guy who got a rough treatment by selectors. He was left out of the OD side for Gilchrist and Waugh, when both of them could've batted down the order and made way for this juggernaut.
Although to be fair to the selectors, the juggernaut did play 42 times for an average of 24.07 and you have to draw the line at some point - had one of the others dropped down the order, one of the middle order would have haad to drop out (and am I right in thinking that would've been someone like Waugh, Ponting or Bevan?)
 

bennyr

U19 12th Man
I always loved watching Slats batting for Australia. When he was in form it was a beautiful sight.

I can't agree with your point about his ODI career. He always played one dayers in a nervous manner, and ended up scoring way to slowly - Ironic for such a free scoring Test batsmen.

Anyway, it is a shame that Slats career was cut short and hampered by arthritis. When he was on song he was awesome.
 

masterblaster

International Captain
Slats was a fantastic player in his prime, awesome to watch. Certainly one of my favourite Australian players, he had intensity, passion and had the ability to play all the strokes.

A guy who will be missed, definitely.

I wish him all the best and hopefully he becomes healthy and fit once again and recovers from his illness.

Hopefully he will entertain us with his commentary for many years to come.
 

Craig

World Traveller
marc71178 said:
Although to be fair to the selectors, the juggernaut did play 42 times for an average of 24.07 and you have to draw the line at some point - had one of the others dropped down the order, one of the middle order would have haad to drop out (and am I right in thinking that would've been someone like Waugh, Ponting or Bevan?)
Well Michael Vaughan isn't excatly a world beater in the ODI game.
 

Craig

World Traveller
Well I consider relevant to what Marc is saying that Slater played 42 times in the ODI game and only averaged 24, and I'm saying Michael Vaughan hasn't set the world alight.
 

Deja moo

International Captain
Craig said:
Well I consider relevant to what Marc is saying that Slater played 42 times in the ODI game and only averaged 24, and I'm saying Michael Vaughan hasn't set the world alight.
Michael Vaughan = captain.

Michael Slater not captain.
 

luckyeddie

Cricket Web Staff Member
Craig said:
Well I consider relevant to what Marc is saying that Slater played 42 times in the ODI game and only averaged 24, and I'm saying Michael Vaughan hasn't set the world alight.
And they reckon I'm pedantic.

OK, my turn.

Doug Walters. Only averaged 28 in ODI's. How rubbish is that? no wonder they chucked him out after 20 or so games.
Ian Redpath. Didn't even manage 10 - and they reckon the guy could bat. Idiot selectors.
(shall I go on?)

Someone yesterday accused marc of criticising one of your posts "because it was one of Craig's". Seems like I could say the same about you.

Back on topic - I loved watching Slater bat - but I can only say that his time at Derbyshire was immensely disappointing - probably for the player as well as the county. It was not a happy ship.
 

age_master

Hall of Fame Member
always entertaining to watch, always passionate about what he did, shame his career had to end this way.

he was definatley harshly treated by selectors in the test side, dropped after a run of form that was shorter than alot of his fellow players.
 

Mister Wright

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I have never been a great fan of Michael Slater, I considered his playing style on the ridiculous side. For instance when you are struggling to keep your place in the side, you don't run down the pitch to Darren Gough in the second over of the match when you are only chasing 12 runs.

However, for his career to end the way it did, because of a serious injury is not the way that this man deserves to go out. He deserved the right to fight for his spot back, no matter how bleak his chances.

He may not be remembered as one of the greats, but he will leave an impression on every spectator that saw him bat. Hopefully his stints in the commentary box will be just as exciting. BECAUSE I AM SICK OF MARK TAYLOR!
 

Craig

World Traveller
luckyeddie said:
And they reckon I'm pedantic.

OK, my turn.

Doug Walters. Only averaged 28 in ODI's. How rubbish is that? no wonder they chucked him out after 20 or so games.
Ian Redpath. Didn't even manage 10 - and they reckon the guy could bat. Idiot selectors.
(shall I go on?)

Someone yesterday accused marc of criticising one of your posts "because it was one of Craig's". Seems like I could say the same about you.
I said Vaughan hasn't set the world alight in ODIs, how are you disagreeing?

As for Slater, he made the right decision to retire from cricket, as chances are he would have lost his NSW contract even if he did not call it quits.

A very good player, but the shining blight on his career was not turning 90s into 100s.
 

luckyeddie

Cricket Web Staff Member
Craig said:
I said Vaughan hasn't set the world alight in ODIs, how are you disagreeing?
I'm not - just wondering what the connection was.

Give us an S.... Give us an O....
 

marc71178

Eyes not spreadsheets
Craig said:
Well I consider relevant to what Marc is saying that Slater played 42 times in the ODI game and only averaged 24, and I'm saying Michael Vaughan hasn't set the world alight.
Yes, what a very good point (ignoring the fact that his average is still overly affected by his start in ODIs) but the relevance to the retirement of Slater?

Oh I get it, because Slater will now no doubt work for Channel 4 and therefore commentate on Vaughan!
 

JASON

Cricketer Of The Year
Analysis of Michael Slater's cricket career, will highlight the extremes of highs and lows in a rollercoaster international career.

For instance his entry into Test Cricket was at a young age and only after few first class matches for NSW (Someone armed with the Stats can give the exact details). He hailed from Wagga Wagga (home town of another famous Australian opener and captain -Mark Taylor) .

Some cricket administrators from other States did wonder if it was a NSW bias in selection that helped him get in so early.

But he proved everyone wrong, with great promise early in his career. Unfortunately for him, he got dropped from the Team after few uninspiring efforts, at a time when the opening position was keenly contested and it appears the selectors comfortably forgot that his Test average when he was dropped was nearly 45.

To his credit he fought his way back into the Team. But Marital problems had set in by then and seemed destined to ruin his career.

It would not be unfair to say that personal (Marital) problems which seem to influence Team selection in Australian cricket had its effect and put paid to his career.
 
Last edited:

a massive zebra

International Captain
Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 0

overall 74 131 7 5312 219 176 169 42.83 14 21 9

v England 20 37 0 1669 176 152 124 45.10 7 4 0
v India 10 19 1 495 91 91 48 27.50 0 2 3
v New Zealand 6 10 0 482 168 143 99 48.20 2 1 0
v Pakistan 12 20 1 946 169 110 108 49.78 3 4 2
v South Africa 6 11 1 436 95 92 53 43.60 0 3 0
v Sri Lanka 6 9 1 491 219 96 62 61.37 1 3 2
v West Indies 13 23 2 789 106 96 86* 37.57 1 4 2
v Zimbabwe 1 2 1 4 4 0* - 4.00 0 0 0

in Australia 33 57 3 2842 219 176 169 52.62 9 12 4
in England 10 17 0 586 152 77 67 34.47 1 3 0
in India 7 14 1 372 91 48 44 28.61 0 1 2
in New Zealand 3 6 0 177 143 12 9 29.50 1 0 0
in Pakistan 6 10 0 482 110 108 96 48.20 2 2 0
in South Africa 3 6 1 251 95 43* 41 50.20 0 1 0
in Sri Lanka 3 4 0 182 96 59 27 45.50 0 2 1
in West Indies 8 15 1 416 106 44 41 29.71 1 0 2
in Zimbabwe 1 2 1 4 4 0* - 4.00 0 0 0

in Africa 4 8 2 255 95 43* 41 42.50 0 1 0
in Americas 8 15 1 416 106 44 41 29.71 1 0 2
in Asia 16 28 1 1036 110 108 96 38.37 2 5 3
in Europe 10 17 0 586 152 77 67 34.47 1 3 0
in Oceania 36 63 3 3019 219 176 169 50.31 10 12 4

home 33 57 3 2842 219 176 169 52.62 9 12 4
away 41 74 4 2470 152 143 110 35.28 5 9 5

1993 (age: 22y 315d) 10 15 0 753 168 152 99 50.20 2 3 0
1994 (23y 314d) 10 19 1 916 176 110 95 50.88 2 4 0
1995 (24y 314d) 12 21 2 927 219 124 103 48.78 3 3 2
1996 (25y 314d) 2 4 0 59 44 15 0 14.75 0 0 2
1998 (27y 314d) 10 19 0 719 113 108 103 37.84 3 2 1
1999 (28y 314d) 14 25 2 1051 169 123 106 45.69 3 4 4
2000 (29y 314d) 8 13 0 369 143 83 54 28.38 1 2 0
2001 (30y 315d) 8 15 2 518 96 86* 77 39.84 0 3 0

season 1993 6 10 0 416 152 67 58 41.60 1 2 0
season 1993/94 9 15 1 741 168 99 95 52.92 1 4 0
season 1994/95 12 22 1 1006 176 124 110 47.90 4 2 1
season 1995/96 6 10 1 448 219 73 62 49.77 1 2 2
season 1996/97 1 2 0 44 44 0 - 22.00 0 0 1
season 1997/98 3 6 0 162 91 42 13 27.00 0 1 1
season 1998/99 12 23 0 975 123 113 108 42.39 5 1 1
season 1999 3 4 0 182 96 59 27 45.50 0 2 1
season 1999/00 10 18 2 629 169 143 97 39.31 2 2 2
season 2000/01 8 14 2 539 96 86* 83 44.91 0 4 0
season 2001 4 7 0 170 77 25 21 24.28 0 1 0

toss won 39 69 2 2817 176 169 168 42.04 9 8 7
toss lost 35 62 5 2495 219 143 110 43.77 5 13 2

toss won & batted 29 52 0 2203 176 168 152 42.36 8 5 7
toss won & fielded 10 17 2 614 169 97 77 40.93 1 3 0
toss lost & sent in 10 20 1 744 110 99 95 39.15 1 5 1
toss lost & fielded 25 42 4 1751 219 143 108 46.07 4 8 1

matches batting 1st 39 72 1 2947 176 168 152 41.50 9 10 8
matches fielding 1st 35 59 6 2365 219 169 143 44.62 5 11 1

1st team innings 74 74 0 3519 219 176 169 47.55 9 17 6
2nd team innings 57 57 7 1793 123 113 106 35.86 5 4 3

1st match innings 39 39 0 1728 176 168 152 44.30 5 7 5
2nd match innings 35 35 0 1791 219 169 143 51.17 4 10 1
3rd match innings 30 30 0 1162 123 113 106 38.73 4 3 3
4th match innings 27 27 7 631 103 86* 43* 31.55 1 1 0

no follow-on 67 121 6 4612 219 176 169 40.10 11 19 9
enforcing a follow-on 7 10 1 700 168 152 110 77.77 3 2 0

Opening 74 131 7 5312 219 176 169 42.83 14 21 9

bowled 17 18 0 440 92 77 67 24.44 0 3 1 14%
caught 58 78 0 3670 219 176 169 47.05 12 12 5 60%
lbw 15 20 0 547 103 95 73 27.35 1 2 3 15%
run out 2 2 0 29 26 3 - 14.50 0 0 0 2%
stumped 6 6 0 413 106 96 96 68.83 1 3 0 5%
not out 7 7 7 213 86* 43* 32* - 0 1 0 5%

dismissed 74 124 0 5099 219 176 169 41.12 14 20 9
not dismissed 7 7 7 213 86* 43* 32* - 0 1 0

matches won 44 75 7 3508 219 176 169 51.58 11 13 4
matches drawn 13 22 0 1094 113 110 103 49.72 3 6 0
matches lost 17 34 0 710 92 67 48 20.88 0 2 5

won by an innings 13 13 0 962 219 168 152 74.00 4 3 1
won defending target 15 30 0 1304 176 124 123 43.46 5 4 3
won chasing target 16 32 7 1242 169 143 97 49.68 2 6 0
lost by an innings 1 2 0 5 5 0 - 2.50 0 0 1
lost defending targ. 8 16 0 400 92 67 43 25.00 0 2 0
lost chasing target 8 16 0 305 48 44 36 19.06 0 0 4

5 day matches 74 131 7 5312 219 176 169 42.83 14 21 9

1st/Only Tests 22 38 4 1737 219 176 169 51.08 6 4 3
2nd Tests 20 36 2 1550 168 152 143 45.58 4 6 3
3rd Tests 20 35 0 1154 103 103 96 32.97 2 7 3
4th Tests 7 12 0 333 67 67 44 27.75 0 2 0
5th Tests 4 8 1 522 124 123 96 74.57 2 2 0
6th Tests 1 2 0 16 12 4 - 8.00 0 0 0

in series drawn 10 19 1 713 106 95 92 39.61 1 3 1
in series lost 13 23 1 798 110 96 91 36.27 1 4 3
in series won 51 89 5 3801 219 176 169 45.25 12 14 5



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 0

overall 74 131 7 5312 219 176 169 42.83 14 21 9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series Win Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 0

The Ashes (Aus/Eng) in England, 1993 [Series]
Aus 6 10 0 416 152 67 58 41.60 1 2 0
Trans-Tasman Trophy (Aus/NZ) in Australia, 1993/94 [Series]
Aus 3 4 0 305 168 99 28 76.25 1 1 0
South Africa in Australia, 1993/94 [Series]
- 3 5 0 185 92 53 32 37.00 0 2 0
Australia in South Africa, 1993/94 [Series]
- 3 6 1 251 95 43* 41 50.20 0 1 0
Australia in Pakistan, 1994/95 [Series]
Pak 3 5 0 244 110 74 36 48.80 1 1 0
The Ashes (Aus/Eng) in Australia, 1994/95 [Series]
Aus 5 10 0 623 176 124 103 62.30 3 1 0
The Frank Worrell Trophy (Aus/WI) in West Indies, 1994/95 [Series]
Aus 4 7 1 139 41 27 20* 23.16 0 0 1
Pakistan in Australia, 1995/96 [Series]
Aus 3 5 0 139 73 42 23 27.80 0 1 1
Sri Lanka in Australia, 1995/96 [Series]
Aus 3 5 1 309 219 62 15 77.25 1 1 1
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Aus/Ind) in India, 1996/97 [Series]
Ind 1 2 0 44 44 0 - 22.00 0 0 1
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Aus/Ind) in India, 1997/98 [Series]
Ind 3 6 0 162 91 42 13 27.00 0 1 1
Australia in Pakistan, 1998/99 [Series]
Aus 3 5 0 238 108 96 21 47.60 1 1 0
The Ashes (Aus/Eng) in Australia, 1998/99 [Series]
Aus 5 10 0 460 123 113 103 46.00 3 0 0
The Frank Worrell Trophy (Aus/WI) in West Indies, 1998/99 [Series]
- 4 8 0 277 106 44 33 34.62 1 0 1
Australia in Sri Lanka, 1999 [Series]
SL 3 4 0 182 96 59 27 45.50 0 2 1
Southern Cross Trophy (Aus/Zim) in Zimbabwe, 1999/00 [Series]
Aus 1 2 1 4 4 0* - 4.00 0 0 0
Pakistan in Australia, 1999/00 [Series]
Aus 3 5 1 325 169 97 32* 81.25 1 1 1
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Aus/Ind) in Australia, 1999/00 [Series]
Aus 3 5 0 123 91 28 3 24.60 0 1 1
Trans-Tasman Trophy (Aus/NZ) in New Zealand, 1999/00 [Series]
Aus 3 6 0 177 143 12 9 29.50 1 0 0
The Frank Worrell Trophy (Aus/WI) in Australia, 2000/01 [Series]
Aus 5 8 1 373 96 86* 83 53.28 0 4 0
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Aus/Ind) in India, 2000/01 [Series]
Ind 3 6 1 166 48 43 42 33.20 0 0 0
The Ashes (Aus/Eng) in England, 2001 [Series]
Aus 4 7 0 170 77 25 21 24.28 0 1 0
 

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