Klinger hit for six by sick wife

Big Bash gun Michael Klinger says cricket is no longer his priority after his wife’s shock cancer diagnosis left the batsman devastated.

Klinger, contracted to Perth in the BBL, revealed his wife Cindy’s devastating news yesterday and said cricket was now secondary.

After physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory tablets failed to help with Cindy’s back pain, a routine scan, followed by a biopsy, revealed she had breast cancer that had spread to her spine.

“For the 14 years since I met Cindy, she has been my No.1 supporter, my confidante, my motivator, my carer, my everything,” Klinger wrote in a heartbreaking letter on the Scorchers’ website.

“But our roles reversed from the moment we found out Cindy had cancer.

“Cindy must now take the mantle as the ‘fighter’ and bring a positive and winning attitude to every treatment and hurdle she runs into along the way.

“I, on the other hand, need to become chief carer, supporter and motivator.

“Playing cricket, right at this moment, is secondary.”

The 37-year-old said he had not ruled out playing in the Big Bash this year.

“It still may happen, because Cindy wants me to play and says it will be a good distraction for her and the kids (Bailey, 7, Summer, 5, and Easton, 1) to see me do so, either on TV or at The Furnace,” he said.

The defending champion Scorchers open their title defence against the Sydney Sixers on Saturday. It is not clear whether Klinger (pictured, with Cindy) will play.