Klinger to quit first-class cricket
Michael Klinger has made a decision to take a step back from first class cricket after more than 11,000 runs and focus more on family matters.
Michael Klinger with his family
Photo: Facebook
Klinger still hopes to play for the Perth Scorchers in next years Big Bash League but had decided that after almost 20 years of his first class career, he’s happy to downgrade.
“Now that we have more have more experienced players, I think the time’s right for me and for the group” 37-yr-old Klinger expressed to the West Australian adding “it’s sad because it’s the end of a chapter for me and the kids, its all they’ve known”.
Klinger, whose wife Cindy had been diagnosed with breast cancer late last years, told The West Australian that although her diagnosis is not the sole purpose of his retirement “he does need to be around a lot more”.
“Michael’s support has been amazing, He has stepped up and taken the role of what I usually would do and done it brilliantly,” Cindy said to The West Australian.
Speaking of his retirement, Michael mentioned “it’ll open up more opportunities to get some experience in other fields, such as sports management and coaching”.
Klinger has previously completed a master’s degree in sports management and business, so this step back will give him an opportunity to potentially have a future in sports admin.
Klinger told the Cricket Network that he feels “extremely blessed to have been part of the Australian domestic cricket structure for 19 years and have loved it.”
As he finishes off with a total of 11,320 runs at an average of 39.30, he said that he is more than confident he is leaving his first class team in good shape.
