Cricket the escape for Klinger in scorching knock
PERTH Scorchers batsman Michael Klinger says his family has been “kicking” him out the door to play for his Big Bash League side despite his wife being diagnosed with cancer.
Klinger’s 83 from 61 balls was instrumental in Perth’s win over the Sydney Sixers at the WACA Ground on Monday night, their fourth victory from four starts this season.
Klinger’s innings was particularly impressive as the BBL’s all-time leading runscor- er continued to show he has plenty left to give at 37.
Following his wife Cindy recently being diagnosed with breast cancer, playing cricket has been an escape for Klinger as he readies for the challenges ahead.
“To be honest, my wife and family have been kicking me out the door to go to games. They are adamant they want to keep things at home as nor- mal as possible,” Klinger said.
“The three hours out here is the time that I enjoy and mentally I can use to rejuvenate before I go back home with my wife and family. Those are the cards we’ve been dealt and we hope things go well over the next five or six months for us.”
The Sixers’ season spiralled further downward on New Year’s Day as the defending champion Scorchers continued on their merry way. The visitors did well posting 4-167.
Jordan Silk top-scored with 45 not out. It wasn’t enough, however, and the Scorchers chased it down with five balls to spare.
To top it off for the Sixers, Steve O’Keefe suffered a suspected broken leg while in the field and Daniel Hughes was earlier ruled out after suffering a quad injury in the nets.
There are no such problems for the undefeated Scorchers. A 96-run partnership between Klinger and Ashton Turner (45 from 32) set up the win for debutant Tim David and Adam Voges to finish off. Klinger was pleased to see the Scorchers pull off the highestever BBL run chase in Perth.
“We have a good record of defending scores here but we always know that if we have wickets in hand and have one batter in and set that you can really score quickly at the back end,” he said.
“Luckily enough myself and AT put on a good partnership to set us up and Timmy David and Vogesy got it done in the last couple of overs.”