Slater to 'clear the air' tomorrow

Under siege batsman Michael Slater hopes to finally "clear the air" tomorrow and resume his high-profile comeback after the Australian Cricket Board today denied a weekend incident had put his $200,000 contract in jeopardy.

The sacked Test and NSW opener today issued an apology for his fiery outburst at the media at a Sydney grade match on Saturday.

Slater said he was in a state of "shock and disappointment" at the time but it did not excuse his behaviour.

Playing his first innings since being axed from the NSW team, the 74-Test veteran hurled his helmet and swore at reporters and photographers after being forced to retire hurt when cut over the eye by a rising delivery when on 12.

Despite a newspaper report today stating the incident had put his six-figure contract in jeopardy, ACB public affairs general manager Brendan McClements said that was "just not right".

"If there was any disciplinary action taken, the first issue really lies with NSW cricket," he said.

"Any suggestion that Michael's contract is in jeopardy is just not right."

NSW Cricket chief executive David Gilbert said he spoke with the ACB today and ruled out any further action on Slater except for a press conference at the SCG tomorrow which he hoped would finally "clear the air once and for all".

"I have spoken to the ACB this morning. There was no official report lodged by the umpires, nor was there anything from the media in terms of threats of physical abuse or verbal abuse," he said.

"I think there has been a lot of licence used in terms of facts about Saturday.

"But Michael has apologised for his actions on Saturday and will front a press conference tomorrow to clear the air once and for all on Michael Slater the cricketer who ... wants to be given a chance to get his career back on track.

"Once those questions have been answered and Michael's able to put his side of events over we can all get on with our respective jobs."

Gilbert said he empathised with Slater who was "hurting like hell" and denied the weekend incident would hamper the opener's comeback.

"I have spoken to Michael today, he certainly regrets what happened on Saturday," he said.

"But I think Michael has certainly been pursued quite unfairly over the last few weeks by some sections of the media."

Gilbert said Slater needed space as he attempted to break back into the Test team.

"About eight months ago Michael Slater was opening the batting for Australia and here is on Saturday opening the batting for his club," he said.

"At the end of the day I'm certain he would love to be in South Africa with the Australian team or in Perth with his NSW teammates [playing a Pura Cup game].

"The facts are he's not, he's hurting like hell, he's desperate to get back into the team and then all of a sudden he gets cleaned up - it just goes from bad to worse.

"What's been disappointing about all this is that some people for some reason are trying to kick him while he is down.

"I think at times like this you've got to get behind people.

"If this is the way we seize on our people once they show a sign of weakness it's a pretty sad state of affairs."

Gilbert also slammed a newspaper report quoting an unnamed senior Blues official who allegedly said: "Slater is a loose cannon and has lost the plot totally".

"I've not been able to track the source of that quote. Needless to say I think it was a totally inappropriate comment to make and something I can't believe someone involved in NSW cricket would make," he said.