MELBOURNE (Reuters)
Opening batsman Michael Slater is to be offered counselling to help him cope with off-fieldproblems, Australia's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said. The 31-year-old Slater, who was dropped for the fifth Ashes Test because of his poor form, missed a team bus to practice before the fourth Test and opted to come to England before Australia's tour to work as a commentator as he tried to resolve a rocky period in his marriage.

"He will need to be counselled by people within the team environment and possibly myself on those issues, but on the other issues I'm sure something will be put in place to help him along the way there," Hohns told Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) Radio on Thursday.

The aggressive right-hander, who scored 170 runs at an average of 24.28 in the first four Tests against England, was also dropped in 1996 and did not return to Australia's side for 18 months.

Australia captain Steve Waugh confirmed that Slater, who has made 5,312 runs in 74 Tests including 14 centuries, had been dropped because of his form. "Michael Slater is out of the side, that's a big change for us at the top of the order," Waugh said. "His form hasn't been what it should have been and Justin (Langer) deserves his chance. There are always related issues but that's for the selection panel. Of course he has a Test future."

Australian television showed pictures of a dejected Slater receiving consoling pats on the shoulder from team mates after a practice session on Thursday. "I've been here before and I believe I came back a better player, a better person, and I believe this time when I come back I'll be a better player and a better person for it," Slater told a news conference.

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