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Michael Klinger
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Michael Klinger (born 4 July 1980) is an Australian former first-class cricketer, who held the record for the most runs scored in the Big Bash League when he retired in 2019.[1]
Key Information
Until the 2008–09 season, Klinger played for Victoria and for St Kilda Cricket Club in Premier Cricket. He joined the South Australia Redbacks for the 2008–09 season, was named their Captain in 2010, and was recognised as the State Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. He was one of the 350 players under the hammer for the IPL Auction 2011, and was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala. In 2014 he was recruited by the Perth Scorchers and then also played for Western Australia. In March 2018, he announced his retirement from first-class cricket.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Klinger was born in Kew, Victoria, Australia, and is Jewish.[3][4][5][6] He completed an undergraduate applied science degree in Human Movement, and a Master of Business (Sport Management) degree at Deakin University.[7][8]
Career
[edit]As a young batsman, Klinger was named Captain of the Australia Under 19's Men's Cricket team – his deputy being Michael Clarke who subsequently became captain of the national team.[9]
Klinger began as an 18-year-old in the 1998–99 season. His career lowlight was the 2000–01 season when he made a famous 99 not out, with captain Paul Reiffel declaring the innings closed, a move which brought great controversy[10] and remains the only batsman in Australian cricket to be stranded on 99 due to a declaration.[11] This caused Klinger some great upset, and following it Klinger had several less successful years, but returned to contention for a spot in the Victorian Bushrangers side for the 2005–06 season. He quickly made his first first-class century, and then followed it up with his first List A one-day century, but his first-class form soon dropped, and he was replaced in the side by Lloyd Mash, not to return in the Pura Cup all season. In 2003 he was the club professional for Walkden in the Bolton Cricket League.
In Season 2006–07 he started off in the outer from the Pura Cup side, but started off his Ford Ranger Cup season in style, nearly getting a century early on, and then following it up with one. He led the runs scoring in the competition for much of the season, eventually finishing 3rd. Klinger's rise to the Pura Cup team came only when Brad Hodge was called up by Australia for their ODI Series, and Klinger's recent form had been wavy, with his last game for the 2nd XI yielding a first innings duck, but second innings century. Klinger was soon to do the same for the 1st XI, but the century ensured that when Hodge returned, Klinger survived. He finished the season as a regular fixture of the Bushrangers side, and was part of a great partnership with David Hussey in a match against NSW, in which the Vics defied all odds to chase down a massive total of 360 on an extremely poor 4th day pitch (it was later described as a 3rd day pitch on day 1 by Hussey), scoring 102.
Move to South Australia
[edit]Klinger joined the South Australia Redbacks for the 2008–09 season in order to get more opportunities at state level, where he began batting at number 3 rather than opening, and saw immediate success, scoring a maiden 150 not out against old state Victoria in his first game.[12] Then, against Western Australia on 11 November, Klinger scored his maiden double century, finishing on 255,[13] and he continued to score heavily in both the Sheffield Shield and the Ford Ranger Cup, and hit his third century for the season against Queensland at the Gabba,[14] and his first away from the traditionally batting friendly Adelaide Oval.
On 11 December 2008, Klinger posted his highest individual score in one day cricket, with an unbeaten 133 off just 128 balls. This guided South Australia to victory in their high-scoring match against the Tasmania Tigers at the Adelaide Oval. This was Klinger's fourth one-day century.[15] He won the Australian Cricketers' Association's December 2008 Johnnie Walker player-of-the-month award.[16]
In 2010, Klinger was named Captain of the Redbacks.[17]
In November 2019, he was appointed as the head coach of Melbourne Renegades, an Australian franchise professional men's Twenty20 cricket team. He replaced former all-rounder Andrew McDonald who resigned for becoming Australia's assistant coach.[18]
Indian Premier League
[edit]Klinger was one of the 350 players under the hammer for the IPL Auction 2011, and was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for US$ 75,000.[19]
Gloucestershire
[edit]In December 2012, Klinger was signed by Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, not only as their overseas player for the 2013 season, but also as their captain, taking over from Alex Gidman. He had previously stood in for Phillip Hughes at Worcestershire at the beginning of the previous season.[20] He scored over 1000 runs in the County Championship, scoring 6 centuries, plus another 1000 runs in the limited over competitions. Due to his success, Klinger returned to captain Gloucs again for the 2014 season.[21] He was their leading run scorer in the One Day Cup, until he broke his arm playing against Derbyshire in August.[22] In August 2015, he was confirmed as staying with the club for the 2016 season.[23]
Western Australia
[edit]Klinger signed a two-year contract with Western Australia in April 2014.[24] He recovered from the broken arm to make his debut for WA in the 2014–15 Matador BBQs One-Day Cup in October.[25] Klinger scored 71 runs (not out) for the Perth Scorchers as they beat the Sydney Sixers to win the Big Bash League | 06 in January 2017.
International career
[edit]Klinger competed for Australia at the 1997 Maccabiah Games in Israel when he was 17 years old, winning a gold medal.[3][26]
In February 2017, Klinger was named in Australia's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against Sri Lanka.[27] He made his T20I debut for Australia against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 17 February 2017.[28] At the age of 36, Klinger became the oldest player for Australia to debut in a T20I.[29]
Despite having the 20th highest List A batting average of all time (49.33) and the second highest by an Australian, Klinger never played a One Day International.
Awards
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chadwick, Justin (3 February 2019). "Stars fall short against lowly Scorchers". Mandurah Mail. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Michael Klinger to retire from first-class cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
- ^ a b Mendel, Jack (8 July 2015). "Aussie cricketer Michael Klinger talks to Jewish News ahead of The Ashes". www.jewishnews.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Michael Klinger". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ Staff, J.-Wire (31 October 2016). "Klinger named Jewish Sportsman of the Year in WA". J-Wire. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "How the 'Jewish Bradman' realised his 20-year wait for the baggy green". www.jewishnews.co.uk. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Beyond the boundary". Deakin Business School. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ^ "Star cricketer and Deakin student Michael Klinger shares his amazing story". Deakin Life. Deakin University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ Berry, Darren (7 December 2008). "Ashes tour on the cards for Klinger". The Age. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ Polack, John (3 March 2001). "Tigers prolong Klinger's agony on gloomy day for Victoria". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Miller, p. 95.
- ^ "Sheffield Shield at Adelaide, Oct 14-17 2008". ESPNcricinfo. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Sheffield Shield at Adelaide, Nov 10-13 2008". ESPNcricinfo. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Sheffield Shield at Brisbane, Nov 28 - Dec 1 2008". ESPNcricinfo. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ "Klinger's 133 races Redbacks to high-scoring success". ESPNcricinfo. 10 December 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ Hogan, Jesse (14 January 2009). "Prolific Klinger named the best". The Age. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ "Klinger appointed Redbacks' captain". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ "Melbourne Renegades appoints Michael Klinger as head coach". aninews.in. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- ^ Masters, James (13 January 2011). "Michael Klinger ready to cash in on IPL". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ^ "Gloucestershire sign Michael Klinger as captain for 2013". BBC Sport. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "Gloucestershire captain excited about new season". BBC Sport. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger suffers broken arm". 22 August 2014.
- ^ "Michael Klinger turns down First Division offers to stay at Gloucestershire". Gloucestershire Echo. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
- ^ Elborough, Brad (12 April 2014). "WA signs Michael Klinger".
- ^ "New recruit Michael Klinger ready to fire for WA in Matador One-Day Cup". 1 October 2014.
- ^ "How the 'Jewish Bradman' realised his 20-year wait for the baggy green". 22 February 2017.
- ^ "Klinger, Paine in Australia's T20 squad". ESPNcricinfo. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ "Sri Lanka tour of Australia, 1st T20I: Australia v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Feb 17, 2017". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Malinga set for return against new-look Australia". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
Sources
[edit]- Miller, A. (2001) Allan's Cricket Annual, Allan Miller: Perth. ISBN 0 9586122 3 4.
External links
[edit]Michael Klinger
View on GrokipediaPersonal life
Early life
Michael Klinger was born on 4 July 1980 in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[3] He attended Mount Scopus Jewish School in Melbourne for his early education. He was the son of Bill and Sue Klinger, with his mother passing away in 2005.[10] Klinger hails from a Jewish family, with his upbringing steeped in Jewish cultural and religious traditions; his family were regular Shabbat attendees at the Kew Synagogue, and this heritage influenced his early community involvement.[10] Growing up in Melbourne's Kew district during his childhood, he later moved to Caulfield as a teenager, where the family's relocation further shaped his local experiences.[10] His initial exposure to cricket occurred at age eight, when his parents introduced him to the Maccabi AJEX Cricket Club, a Jewish community organization in Melbourne, sparking an immediate obsession with the sport.[10] This early involvement in local club cricket laid the foundation for his athletic interests, centered primarily on the game.[11] Standing at 1.79 meters tall, Klinger's physical build supported his development as a young athlete during these formative years.[2]Education and family
Klinger pursued higher education at Deakin University, where he studied sports science during his early playing career with Victoria in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[12] He later completed a Master of Business (Sport Management) at the same institution between 2005 and 2016, which aligned with his growing interest in sports administration beyond playing.[7] This academic background reflected his balanced approach to professional development, equipping him with skills for potential non-cricket roles in management while he established himself in the sport.[13] In his personal life, Klinger is married to Cindy, whom he wed prior to his major career relocations, and together they have three children: Bailey, Summer, and Easton.[14] The family has been instrumental in supporting his nomadic cricket schedule, often traveling with him across Australia and overseas; Klinger publicly acknowledged their sacrifices, noting in his 2018 retirement announcement that his wife and children "have travelled with me for the last 10 years, both interstate and overseas, to give me the best opportunity to chase my dreams."[15] Following his undergraduate education, the Klingers relocated to South Australia to facilitate his cricket opportunities there.[10] Klinger maintains ties to the Jewish community through family-oriented practices, attending services regularly at Kew Synagogue in Melbourne and the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation during his time in South Australia.[10] Raised in a traditional Jewish household, he has described his family as culturally observant without strict religiosity, and he represented Australia at the 1997 Maccabiah Games in Israel, leading the team to a gold medal—an experience that reinforced his community connections.[10] These involvements have provided a foundation for family life amid his demanding career, emphasizing resilience and communal support.[16]Playing career
Early career with Victoria
Klinger rose through the youth ranks in Victoria, representing the state under-19 team before earning selection for the Australian under-19 squad from 1996–97 to 1999, where he featured in eight Youth Tests (349 runs at 26.84, including one century) and 16 Youth ODIs (469 runs at 42.63, with five fifties). In 1999, he captained the Australian under-19 side on their tour of England, with Michael Clarke serving as vice-captain.[17] He made his List A debut for Victoria in the Mercantile Mutual Cup on 5 February 2000 against Tasmania at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 106 balls (including five fours and two sixes) to help secure a six-wicket victory and earn player-of-the-match honors.[18] Five days later, Klinger debuted in first-class cricket during the 1999–2000 Sheffield Shield against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground (10–13 February), contributing 25 (51 balls) in the first innings and 35 (61 balls) in the second.[19] A technically proficient top-order batsman favoring front-foot play, his early progress was steady but hampered by inconsistent opportunities in a competitive Victorian lineup.[3] During the 1998–2007 period, Klinger played 52 first-class matches for Victoria, compiling 3,124 runs at an average of 35.04 with two centuries and 14 half-centuries, his highest score being 156 against Queensland in 2002–03. In one-day domestic cricket, he appeared in 58 games, scoring 2,156 runs at 46.43, including six centuries and 12 fifties, highlighted by his debut knock and a 143 against New South Wales in 2003–04. A notable setback came in the 2000–01 Pura Cup against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval (2–5 March 2001), where he remained unbeaten on 99 (169 balls, 13 fours) when captain Paul Reiffel controversially declared to press for an outright win, denying Klinger his maiden first-class century in the only such instance in Australian domestic history.[20][21] Despite these highlights, Klinger's opportunities remained limited amid strong competition from established players, taking five seasons to claim his first Sheffield Shield century and averaging just over 30 in his initial years.[3] Over eight seasons with Victoria, he managed only two first-class centuries, prompting his decision to seek greater consistency elsewhere after the 2007–08 season.[22]Career with South Australia
Klinger relocated to South Australia ahead of the 2008–09 season, signing a two-year contract with the Redbacks to gain more consistent opportunities in first-class cricket after limited chances at Victoria.[23] In his first season with the team, Klinger delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 1203 runs in the Sheffield Shield at an average of 70.76, which included multiple centuries and established him as a key top-order batsman batting at number three.[3] This prolific output earned him the South Australian Cricketer of the Year award for 2008–09.[24] He repeated the feat in 2009–10, further solidifying his impact in both first-class and limited-overs formats with consistent run-scoring that averaged in the high 40s across List A matches during his tenure.[24] Klinger was appointed captain of the Redbacks in 2010 after just two seasons, succeeding Graham Manou and becoming the first player in over a decade to lead the side without prior state leadership experience. Under his leadership, South Australia won the 2010–11 KFC Big Bash League title, with Klinger contributing crucial innings, including a career-high season aggregate exceeding 1000 runs across formats that season.[25] His captaincy emphasized disciplined batting and team resilience, leading to the 2011–12 Ryobi Cup victory as well, where he averaged over 50 in List A cricket.[3] Throughout his time with South Australia until 2018, Klinger amassed 17 first-class centuries and maintained a Sheffield Shield average above 45, with standout seasons like 2010–11 featuring 1025 runs at 58. He also scored eight List A centuries, highlighting his adaptability in one-day cricket.[26] In the Big Bash League, Klinger represented the Adelaide Strikers from 2009 to 2011, captaining the side in its inaugural seasons and scoring 663 runs in 22 matches at an average of 34.65, with a highest score of 86 that helped set early benchmarks for consistency in T20 domestic play.[27] He transitioned to the Perth Scorchers in 2011–12, remaining with the team through 2017–18 and becoming a cornerstone of their success by accumulating 1765 runs in 58 matches at an average of 34.60, including the first BBL century (105*) and holding the league's all-time runs record at the time with totals that influenced T20 strategies across Australian domestic cricket.[28]Stint with Western Australia
In the 2018–19 season, Michael Klinger focused his remaining Australian domestic commitments on the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, representing Western Australia's primary T20 franchise as he sought to extend his career following his international debut the previous year. Having already retired from first-class cricket in March 2018 after 182 matches and over 11,000 runs, this limited-overs phase allowed him to continue contributing at a high level while chasing potential further opportunities on the global stage.[29] Klinger's performances in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh One-Day Cup were limited by his retirement from longer formats, but his prior contributions in those competitions for Western Australia included notable innings such as a century (143) against South Australia in the 2017 JLT One-Day Cup, helping maintain the team's competitive edge in domestic limited-overs cricket. In the BBL|08, he featured in six matches for the Scorchers, accumulating 107 runs at an average of 17.83 with a highest score of 30, providing steady opening support amid a transitional lineup. Standout moments included a controversial dismissal on the seventh ball of an over during a January 2019 clash against the Sydney Sixers, sparking debate over umpiring protocols, and his final home outing against the Melbourne Stars in February 2019, where the Scorchers secured a nine-wicket victory to honor his five seasons with the club, which included two titles.[30][31][32] After the Scorchers' playoff run, Klinger announced his retirement from the Big Bash League in February 2019, concluding his domestic career in Australia and paving the way for overseas commitments. This marked the end of a four-year association with Western Australia that had revitalized his professional trajectory.[33][34]County cricket with Gloucestershire
In August 2016, Michael Klinger extended his contract with Gloucestershire as their overseas player for white-ball cricket, committing to the club through the end of the 2019 season.[35][36] This deal allowed him to focus primarily on limited-overs formats from 2017 onward, while retaining the option to feature in County Championship matches.[37] Klinger assumed the captaincy of Gloucestershire's limited-overs sides from 2017 to 2019, building on his earlier leadership role since joining the club in 2013.[38] Under his guidance, the team showed marked improvement in T20 cricket, qualifying for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals in 2019 after a strong group stage performance.[39] In the quarter-final against Derbyshire, Gloucestershire fell short by seven wickets, ending their campaign, but Klinger's tactical acumen and batting prowess were pivotal in reaching that stage for the first time in several years. During his tenure, Klinger delivered consistent run-scoring across formats, amassing notable totals in the County Championship, Royal London One-Day Cup, and Vitality Blast. In the County Championship, he contributed selectively after 2016, including a century (113) against Northamptonshire in April 2016 that helped secure a first-innings lead.[40] His List A output in the Royal London One-Day Cup was particularly dominant earlier in his Gloucestershire spell, with 531 runs at an average of 106.20 in 2015—topping the tournament's run charts and featuring three centuries—which propelled the team to the final. In the Vitality Blast, Klinger's 2019 season highlighted his enduring class, scoring 486 runs at a strike rate of 142, including a match-winning unbeaten 102 off 65 balls against Kent that clinched their quarter-final spot.[39] Following Gloucestershire's Vitality Blast quarter-final defeat on September 7, 2019, Klinger announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket at age 39, concluding a seven-year association with the county that transformed their white-ball fortunes.[41][42]Indian Premier League
Michael Klinger's entry into the Indian Premier League (IPL) came during the 2011 player auction, where he was acquired by the Kochi Tuskers Kerala for US$75,000 as a capped batsman.[43] This opportunity arose from his consistent performances in Australian domestic T20 cricket, marking his first exposure to the high-profile T20 league. He featured in four matches for Kochi during the 2011 season, scoring 73 runs at an average of 18.25, with a highest score of 29, including nine fours but no sixes.[3] Klinger's IPL involvement was limited thereafter, as he went unsold in the 2012 auction despite entering with a base price of $50,000.[44] He returned to the auction pool in 2018, where Kings XI Punjab purchased him for ₹1.5 crore (approximately US$200,000 at the time), recognizing his experience as a top-order T20 specialist.[45] However, he did not feature in any matches that season, remaining an unused squad member amid a competitive batting lineup.[3] These stints, though brief, highlighted Klinger's adaptability in pressurized T20 environments and bolstered his reputation as a reliable run-scorer, which translated into sustained success in the Big Bash League upon his return to Australian domestic cricket.[2]International career
Late selection
Michael Klinger's selection to the Australian T20I squad in February 2017 marked a remarkable late-career breakthrough, coming at the age of 36 and positioning him to become the oldest debutant in the format's history for the country.[46] The call-up was announced for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, where he was one of four uncapped players included alongside Chris Lynn, Billy Stanlake, and Jhye Richardson.[47] This opportunity arose amid Australia's need to field a transitional side, as key players were prioritized for the upcoming Test series in India, leaving gaps in the T20 lineup due to rest and preparation commitments for the longer format.[48] His inclusion was directly prompted by exceptional domestic performances, particularly in the 2016–17 Big Bash League season, where Klinger amassed 334 runs in 10 matches for the Perth Scorchers at an average of 37.11, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer.[49] This form, highlighted by consistent top-order contributions including a match-winning 81 against Brisbane Heat, convinced selectors of his readiness despite his age and lack of prior international exposure.[50] Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns emphasized Klinger's technical solidity and experience as key factors, noting his ability to anchor innings in high-pressure T20 scenarios.[51] The announcement elicited widespread media and public acclaim, celebrating Klinger's perseverance after nearly two decades in domestic cricket without a national cap.[52] Outlets described the moment as an emotional triumph, with Klinger himself tearing up in interviews, reflecting on the long wait since his state debut in the late 1990s.[53] Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer publicly advocated for the selection, praising Klinger's dedication and form as deserving of international recognition, a sentiment echoed across Australian cricket circles as a testament to sustained excellence.[54]T20I matches and statistics
Michael Klinger made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Australia against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 17 February 2017, where he opened the batting and scored 38 runs off 32 balls, including four boundaries. In the second match of the series at Simonds Stadium in Geelong on 19 February 2017, he contributed 43 runs off 37 balls, featuring two fours and one six, helping Australia post 173 before Sri Lanka chased it down in a last-ball thriller. His final T20I appearance came in the third match at Adelaide Oval on 22 February 2017, where he top-scored with 62 runs off 43 balls, including six fours and one six, in Australia's total of 187 for 6; the hosts won by 41 runs to avoid a series whitewash.[55] Klinger's international career was confined to these three T20I matches against Sri Lanka in February 2017, with no further caps.[56] He did not bowl in any of the games and focused solely on batting as an opener.| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 17 Feb 2017 | Sri Lanka | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | 38 | 32 | 118.75 | c Malinga b Sandakan |
| 2nd T20I | 19 Feb 2017 | Sri Lanka | Simonds Stadium, Geelong | 43 | 37 | 116.22 | c Dickwella b Sanjaya |
| 3rd T20I | 22 Feb 2017 | Sri Lanka | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 62 | 43 | 144.19 | run out (Shanaka/Mendis) |