Michael Klinger announces retirement from first-class cricket

The veteran Australian cricketer Michael Klinger has decided to call time on his first-class career after almost two decades. He will retire after the ongoing Sheffield Shield season while playing for Warriors. Klinger will end his career in whites with 11,320 runs at an average of 39.30, with 30 centuries in 182 matches. Unfortunately, he could never represent Australia in the baggy green during his illustrious career. However, he will be available to play T20 leagues across the world.

Klinger played for three domestic teams in Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and also represented Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in English County Championship. He featured for Australia A but could never break into the Australian Test side. Though he managed to represent his country against Sri Lanka albeit in the shortest format of the game.

I feel fortunate and blessed

Michael Klinger felt that he was blessed to be part of the domestic cricket of Australia and thanked everyone who helped and stood by him during his 19-year long career. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have been part of the Australian domestic cricket structure for 19 years in a row and I’ve loved and appreciated every minute of it,” he said in a statement.

The 37-year-old also added that he was fortunate to be part of title-winning teams four times in his career. “Throughout this period, I’ve learnt about professionalism, effective communication, having fun and have been extremely fortunate to be part of four trophy-winning teams with the Warriors and Scorchers,” Klinger added.

During the Australian summer, Klinger learnt of his wife Cindy’s cancer diagnosis which was a huge blow to his family. He thanked his family for all the support throughout his career. “I also need to send a huge thank you to my family for all their support, in particular, my wife Cindy and kids Bailey, Summer and Easton, who have travelled with me for the last 10 years, both interstate and overseas, to give me the best opportunity to chase my dreams,” emotional Klinger concluded.

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.