Wisden overview
Michael Slater, one of many famous sporting sons of Wagga Wagga, announced himself in Test cricket with a dazzling century at Lord's in only his second game in 1993, whereupon he kissed the Australian crest on his helmet. He has continued to score centuries at a rate to rank him high in history, and he has been dismissed more times in the nineties than anyone bar his captain, Steve Waugh. He is an effervescent batsman, particularly for an opener, with a ferocious cover-drive, nimble footwork and an eagerness to play shots that sometimes borders on the reckless. His best innings develop a momentum that no attack can stop. But after a troubled year off the field, Slater was dropped for the last Ashes Test in 2001, and his replacement, Justin Langer, promptly made things worse by hitting five centuries in seven Tests. Slater can't get near the one-day side either: bizarrely, his style is thought to be too erratic. Greg Baum

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