The war of words between Michael Slater and his country’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has intensified after the latter termed the former Australian cricketer’s recent Twitter rant ‘absurd.’ Slater has hit back with a series of hard-hitting tweets.
Speaking to a TV channel, Morrison said, “No, obviously it’s absurd.” The Australian PM said that his government had to impose the travel ban from India in light of the ‘rapid escalation’ in the pandemic, which has wreaked havoc across the country leaving tens of thousands of people dead.
Slater took to Twitter to launch another round of attack on the Australian prime minister and even challenged Morrison for a debate. He wrote, “I challenge you to a debate anytime PM.”
I challenge you to a debate anytime PM.
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021
Reacting to Morrison’s ‘absurd’ remark, Slater wrote, “Amazing to smoke out the PM on a matter that is a human crisis. The panic, the fear of every Australian in India is real!! How about you take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street!”
Amazing to smoke out the PM on a matter that is a human crisis. The panic, the fear of every Australian in India is real!! How about you take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street!
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021
Former Australian cricketer, who’s been in India as a commentator for the IPL, rejected the charge that his travel to India in the midst of the pandemic was a result of his greed ‘over common sense.’ He wrote, “And did just read greed over common sense! Your government granted me permission to work so I can pay for 3 beautiful children through school and pay a mortgage. So where does common sense lie. Not on my end!”
And did just read greed over common sense! Your government granted me permission to work so I can pay for 3 beautiful children through school and pay a mortgage. So where does common sense lie. Not on my end!
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021
He also thanked Indians for showering love on him. Wishing them well during one of their worst moments, Slater wrote, “Above all my love and prayers to every Indian. You have been nothing but amazing to me every time I’ve been there. Please stay safe. Xx”
Above all my love and prayers to every Indian. You have been nothing but amazing to me every time I’ve been there. Please stay safe. Xx
— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021
The war of words between Slater and his country’s prime minister started after the cricketer launched a blistering attack on the Australian government’s decision to criminalise its own citizens’ return to the country from India. According to the new rules, Australian citizens would be fined A$66,600 ($51,000), face five years imprisonment, or both. Criticising the new rule, Slater had said that Morrison would have blood on his hands.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia have begun making arrangements to airlift its citizens, around 38 of them, who were on IPL duty, out of India to either Sri Lanka or the Maldives before they could return to Australia. The process to evacuate them would start within the next few days.
The IPL has now been indefinitely postponed after several players tested positive for COVID-19.