Unburdened Klinger eyes bumper summer
With the 2013/13 cricket season underway, Ashley Shenker speaks to Michael Klinger about the importance of the summer ahead.
With the 2013/13 cricket season underway, Ashley Shenker speaks to Michael Klinger about the importance of the summer ahead.
SOUTH Australian opener Michael Klinger has had a patchy start to his 2012/13 season, but with a long summer ahead, he believes both he and his team, the West End Redbacks, are building towards big things.
“We had our first four-day win in a while a couple of days ago,” Klinger told The AJN.
“Our first two shield games were pretty poor, we didn’t really show signs of improvement from the previous year, which we thought we had actually taken quite a few big steps.
“We’ve got three away games in a row, then we’ve got a break for a while in terms of four-day, one-day cricket, but then straight into the Big Bash and hopefully my team, the Adelaide Strikers, has some success.”
Klinger said giving up the captaincy to former South African international Johan Botha has allowed him to focus solely on amassing runs.
“Yeah, it’s certainly different, but it’s something at the moment I’m enjoying,” Klinger said.
“There is certainly less meetings in terms of selection, less media and less other commitments.
“I’ve actually enjoyed it to be able to spend time with my wife and two young kids.”
After playing with English Country Cricket side Worcestershire and the Australia A side over the winter, Klinger’s busy year is set to continue through the summer, with his participation in the Bupa Sheffield Shield, Ryobi One-Day Cup and the KFC T20 Big Bash.
But the 32-year-old has suffered a shoulder injury that has hampered his performance.
“After our first game, I dislocated my shoulder playing a club game,” Klinger said.
“So that didn’t help things and I’m probably still struggling with the injury a little bit.”
A solid run of form is what Klinger requires to make sure his name is thrown in the hat for national representation again, which is something he still won’t count out.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to score some runs and play in less pain than I am the moment,” Klinger said.
“It only takes two or three innings and your name is back in lights.
“So in terms of trying to get up and play for Australia, it can change pretty quickly, so that’s certainly still a goal of mine, but I’m realistic about it as well.”
Photo: SACA
comments