- Michael Slater Oval to be renamed
- Cricket great accused of domestic violence
- Wagga Wagga Council's vote was split 4-3.
The ground has been officially renamed Michael Slater Oval after Wagga Wagga Council removed the name from the disgraced Australian cricket legend.
The city council is facing calls to rename the ground amid a dramatic fall from grace for the former cricketer.
Slater, 54, faces 19 charges that allegedly occurred on Queensland's Sunshine Coast between December 5, 2023 and April 12 this year.
He was charged with unlawful stalking and intimidation, trespassing of a dwelling at night, common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and domestic violence offences of choking or suffocation.
Slater, a former television commentator, is also charged with breaching bail and 10 counts of breaching a domestic violence restraining order.
Wagga Wagga Council was divided when asked to vote on the name change, with four votes in favour of the change and three against.
Some lawmakers argued that former cricketers' sporting achievements and contributions to the community should be taken into consideration.
Councillor Rod Kendall argued Mr Slater suffered a “diagnosed medical and psychiatric illness”, adding that renaming the oval would be counterproductive.
Meanwhile, fellow city councillor Jenny McKinnon is campaigning for the oval to be renamed.
“I have asked the city council to urgently change the name of this oval and am pleased that someone (maybe the city council?) has quietly taken action,” McKinnon said earlier this month after sharing a photo of Slater's name daubed on a sign next to the oval.
The city council confirmed the new name for the oval stadium is due to be put on “public display” within the next few days.
Possible candidates to replace Slater include World Cup winners Kate and Alex Blackwell, Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Alicia Quirke and former Matildas star Sally Shipperd.
Mayor Dallas Thaut said Slater's place in the city's sports hall of fame is not under threat.
The former assaulter was refused bail in Maroochydore Magistrates' Court last month and remains in prison.
His case is scheduled to be heard in the same court on Friday, May 31, with his defence team expected to contest the allegations of physical violence.