Michael Klinger finds backing from Justin Langer for inclusion in national team

The Perth Scorchers won their third Big Bash League title beating Sydney Sixers in the final on January 28. Their opener Michael Klinger had been in top form right through the tournament and played a magnificent half century knock in the final as well to lead his team home in the chase. After his impressive show Scorchers’ coach Justin Langer hopes Cricket Australia takes notice of his performance and has asked the selectors to consider Klinger’s inclusion in the Australian T20I squad for the home series against Sri Lanka.

Langer who has been named the coach for the series wants to put his name up and hope that the opener’s dream comes true. “I might have a say. I don’t know how much of a say. But I’ll certainly be putting his name up. He’s just shown over so many years what a champion he is. I know it would be a dream come true for him (to earn a call-up),” Langer was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.

“He’s helped us win three games this year off his own bat. He’s an outstanding person. He deserves to be enjoying that success,” Langer said on Klinger. “It’s a bit like Chris Rogers and Adam Voges – some of those senior players have an impact. Even if it’s just for three games, Klinger deserves it,”

Klinger is yet to make his Australia debut but was on the verge of a call-up in the Test team for the pink ball Test against New Zealand but in the end fell behind Shaun Marsh. “It’s hard to know how close I actually was to Test selection. I just heard what was said in the media. When you think you’re close and you miss out, it’s certainly disappointing. There’s a lot of good players around. I definitely still harbour hopes to represent Australia, whether it’s in the baggy green, or maybe one-day or Twenty20 cricket,” Klinger said.

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Having scored heavily in the last few years his hunger is intact and wants to do everything in power to make a mark and head his way into the Australian team. “Hopefully one day it will go my way. It’s made me hungrier to one day achieve it and keep performing well,” the 36-year-old concluded saying.