Prolific Australian batsman Michael Klinger set to return to Gloucestershire Cricket in Summer 2019

Prolific Australian batsman Michael Klinger set to return to Gloucestershire Cricket in Summer 2019

Posted on: 26 Sep 2018

Having scored over 7,000 runs during his previous years playing Championship cricket with Gloucestershire, Michael Klinger has confirmed his return to the club for his seventh season, set to compete in the T20 Vitality Blast next summer. 

Michael Klinger in action for Gloucestershire.

38-year-old Klinger has played more than 500 matches in his career - including more than 350 in limited overs formats - meaning he's had more than twice as much match time as anyone in the current Gloucestershire squad.

 

His total of more than 13,000 career runs shows the level of consistency that has become synonymous with his game, present not only with Gloucestershire but also with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash competition. In March 2017 Klinger finally earned an Australia call-up to make the first of three T20 appearances for his country, putting an end to fears that his career would come to an end without international recognition.

 

His contribution to Gloucestershire Cricket is not to be taken lightly, with 11 centuries scored between 2013 and 2016 and over 7,000 runs in total. Following his retirement from the longer form of the game Klinger hasn't played first-class cricket in either of the last two English seasons, but he's expected to be as sharp as ever when the Vitality Blast rolls around in Summer 2019.

 

Of the announcement of his confirmed return to Gloucestershire Cricket, Klinger said "I am very excited to extend my contract to play for Gloucestershire in the T20 vitality blast for 2019. This is my 7th year at the club and I love the players, staff, and supporters and I am looking forward to returning again to attempt to go one step further than this season and make finals day. I’m also particularly looking forward to taking up the role as batting consultant leading in to and during the T20 tournament."


Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.