Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater, currently on an IPL commentary assignment, has lashed out at his own government for abandoning players from Australia during the pandemic. Slater took to social media to accuse Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of putting Australian players’ lives at risk by making their return to Australia a criminal act.
Slater 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. I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect.”
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. I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 3, 2021
His subsequent tweet read, “And for those who think this is a money exercise. Well forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early. So please stop the abuse and think of the thousands dying in India each day. It’s called empathy. If only our government had some!”
And for those who think this is a money exercise. Well forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early. So please stop the abuse and think of the thousands dying in India each day. It’s called empathy. If only our government had some!
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 3, 2021
Slater’s outbursts came a day after Sunrisers Hyderabad dropped David Warner from the playing XI after unceremoniously removing him from the captaincy.
Among those Australians currently in India on IPL duty are Slater, Brett Lee, Pat Cummins, Warner and Steve Smith. The Australian government has declared that those attempting to return to Australia from India would face a fine of A$66,600 ($51,000), five years imprisonment, or both.
At least three Australian players had earlier left the IPL midway to return to Australia to avoid the entry ban. They included Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and AJ Tye.
Slater represented Australia in 74 Test matches to score 5,312 runs with 14 centuries. He’s been an integral part of the IPL as a commentator for several years.
