Michael Klinger is an Australian cricket player who has spent the majority of his career waiting for the call-up to the national team that seemed to never come. Despite being consistently mentioned as a potential candidate, he was always overlooked in favor of younger or more fashionable players. However, Klinger’s determination to keep scoring runs paid off when he was finally selected for Australia’s T20 squad in February 2017, at the age of 36.
Known for his technically-correct batting style and preference for the front foot, Klinger made his first-class debut in the 1990s and has displayed adaptability in changing teams, formats, and roles throughout his career. He started in his home state of Victoria, but it took him five seasons to score his first hundred. Seeking a change, Klinger moved to South Australia in 2008-09 and experienced immediate success, scoring a remarkable 1203 Sheffield Shield runs at an average of 70.76 in his first season. He was also appointed captain of the state’s team and led them to victory in the 2010-11 Big Bash and the 2011-12 Ryobi Cup.
However, despite his individual success, the South Australia team struggled in the Sheffield Shield, and Klinger was replaced as captain by Johan Botha for the 2012-13 season. Disheartened by the uncertainty surrounding his place in the team, Klinger made the decision to move to Western Australia in 2014. He continued his prolific scoring, finishing second only to teammate Adam Voges in the Sheffield Shield.
Although Klinger’s batting style seemed more suitable for the longer format of the game, he proved to be an exceptional player in limited-overs cricket as well. His correct strokeplay and ability to judge when to play aggressively made him a valuable asset in one-day and T20 matches. He even earned an IPL contract with Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011 and, at the time of his international T20 call-up, he was the all-time highest run scorer in the Big Bash League.
In 2013, Klinger was appointed captain of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom. He had a remarkable season, scoring over 2000 runs across all formats and played a vital role in the team reaching their first Lord’s final in 11 years. Despite battling jetlag after traveling from Australia for the semi-final, Klinger made a match-winning hundred. Although he had a disappointing performance in the final, Gloucestershire emerged victorious without his usual dominance.
Throughout his career, Klinger has displayed resilience, adaptability, and consistency in his batting performances. Despite not receiving the international recognition that many believed he deserved, he has remained a highly respected player in Australian and international cricket. Klinger’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers that hard work, dedication, and perseverance can ultimately lead to success.
