Michael Slater

Michael Jonathon Slater (21 February, 1970? ) (known by fans and professionals as "Slats" ) was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales and was an opening batsman for the Australian Cricket Team .

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21 February - 1970

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Michael went to the Australian Cricket Academy before appearing for New South Wales in the 1991/92 Sheffield Shield (now known as the Pura Cup) season. He made fast progress to the Australian Test Team being selected for the Ashes Tour to England in 1993. He made his first century in the Lords Test and celebrated by kissing the Australian Badge on his helmet. He was generally known for his swashbuckling style of play. Between 1993 and 2001, in 74 Test matches he scored 5,312 Test Match runs and 14 centuries at an average of 42. He opened the batting in Australia's unbeaten streak team between 1999 and 2001. Surprisingly he wasn't as successful in the shorter One-day International form of the game appearing 42 times with an average of 24.

Related Topics:
Sheffield Shield - Australian Test Team - One-day International

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Slater played in the English County Championship with Derbyshire in the 1990s. But after being left out of the Test Team and problems with his personal life he also suffered from a form of arthritis that affected his spine which eventually finished his career. Whilst playing he began his career as a cricket commentator which has flourished since retirement.

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