Former Australian Test star Michael Slater’s contract has not been renewed for the summer of cricket by Channel 7, with a newspaper speculating his criticism of Scott Morrison’s government over quarantine restrictions has played a role in the decision.
Slater, 51, was a mainstay of Channel 9’s commentary team before joining 7 in 2018.
Channel 7 told the Daily Telegraph that the decision not to renew his contract was more due to budgetary restraints than his criticism of the government.
The Telegraph claimed Slater’s infamous public challenging of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this year at least partly contributed to his exit.
Slater, who was stuck in India as a commentator tweeted: “If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace!
“Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out quarantine system.
“He’s a very talented broadcaster and he’s been a ripping member of our team,” Channel 7 Head of Sport Lewis Martin told The Telegraph. “It’s more about financial management than anything else and we wish Michael the very best in the future, we really do,”
“Unfortunately business decisions have to be made from time to time and unfortunately we’re not in a position to renew it.
“He was a very popular member of our team and a very talented broadcaster. I can only expect this will only be a pause (in his career).”
The Telegraph said Slater’s comments did not sit comfortably with fellow cricketers or Channel 7 executives at the time.
Slater played 74 Tests and 42 one-day internationals for Australia, scoring 6299 runs and 14 centuries.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I got the feeling he focussed a lot on being a better one day player. ODIs were not a strong point, which seemed odd for an attacking batsman. It felt like when he started putting more effort improving his ODI game he lost it in the long form. I'm not saying that is what happened, just what it looked like to me at the time.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Slats first 2/3 of his career was a gun opening batsman for NSW/ Australia then he lost it completely, don’t know what happened, his technique became loose and he was gone quickly. Never rated him as a commentator either. Big downfall.
matth
Roar Guru
What we will never, ever know is how many deaths there would have been without restrictions. Hospitals overwhelmed, people dying of other diseases for want of treatment, apart from the 1% or so fatality rate for the disease itself. The best comparisons are are India and Indonesia, where it was let rip. Official death tolls of 450,000 and 142,000 respectively but the true tolls are believed by experts to be as much as 10 times that amount. that amounts to 1 in every 250 or so people. In the US, which was pretty full on the numbers were 2.2 out of every 1000 people. Now I doubt I know 1,000 people but it amounts to 54,000 out of a population the size of Australia. I can't see how that would have flown politically speaking.
JGK
Roar Guru
He's perfectly entitled to his opinion and I don't disagree with him in principle when it comes to the Prime Minister. I just don't think he is a particularly good commentator any more.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I can't stand his commentary...otherwise known as 'yabbering'. He clearly hates silence, preferring to remove it with gibberish nonsense. But that's how he's always been. At 9, and then at 7. So, how did he get a gig at 7 in the 1st place?? The external reason fits because he's always been a crap commentator, yet got the work.
ken gargett
Guest
Damo, could not agree more. i can't think of a worse commentator and i have been listening to/watching cricket for more than half a century. i used to hit mute as soon as he came on. could not believe 7 picked him up in the first place. a season without his inane in-jokes and giggling and endless nonsense that always seemed to lead back to what he did - sounds like heaven. best decision 7 could have made and i don't care what the real reason was.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Good, he is rubbish.
Stickman57
Roar Rookie
Slater loves the sound of his own voice far too much.
Tony
Roar Guru
Michael Slater or Wayne Kerr? You decide.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Consequences?.. In other words, agree with me or else.. I posted quite obviously in the context of this pandemic… The article suggests Slater got the chop because he expressed a certain viewpoint.. You have simply highlighted 100% the attitude of those I question. Thank you…
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
Wise man!
Peter
Guest
I thought Australia was a democracy, blah, blah, blah.................what a non-sensical rant. How is Slater not free to express his opinion? He can say what he wants. What you fail to recognise is; you're not free from the consequences of what you say.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Hope not. I enjoy ABC Grandstand.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I was wondering why he would have been wearing heavy layers while leaving India.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Intersting intelligence Jeff good to understand mindsets of other states m think all the states don't understand the voting mentalities per each state and what they have been through . Enter Scotty he lost unity of his country
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Try 240 days in Victoria that said I'm sure there's a million Aussies stranded from loved ones who are citizens with a right to come home and be protected like any other Aussie at home. Yes the wealthy and privileged took the piss out of the quarentine system early on in particular and favors were granted to actors and wealthy with connections for sure . Plenty of catch 22s and brutal hardships with citizens that deserved to come home . Slater is not one of them
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I thought Aus was a democracy.. Why shouldnt Slater feel free and be free to express an opinion.. There is a narrative out there that if you oppose restrictions, etc you are somehow pretty darned evil.. The virus has already been Nationalised and like it or not highly politicised.Im talking as a South African but the dynamics here , Aus or anywhere else are identical.. There are even posts this thread which blame a particular varient on India…. Seriously?… Then there is a new psycho term doing the rounds called ” Pandemic Stress.” Well I think I have it.. And its not caused by the virus. Its caused by people/politicians .. People who are so determined that its their way or the highway that all reasoned opposition to certain lockdown regulations which are so illogical they are almost laughable, excepting they’re not so funny… .” Cancel Culture”, The movie star Johnny Depp recently articulated.. How true. …. By the way If you fear dying, I have very, very bad news for you…. If you fear dying from Covid 19, statistically the chances are really small. Minute.. Difference between me and Slater..apart from the fact that he was a better cricketer than me, much, much better, is that nobody can fire me.. I employ myself.. So I will speak my mind and I wont be bullied into compliance….
Mark
Guest
Haha, first sentence should obviously read ‘He looked like an idiot at the time’. Thanks autocorrect, and my apologies to the Inuit people.
Scuba
Guest
The only thing that gives the “he’s been cancelled!” theory any legs is that there’s so many other poor commentators that apparently got their contracts renewed. Channel 7 needs to put a broom through 80 percent of them.