Emotional end Winning finish for Klinger on Big Bash swansong
PERTH Scorchers stalwart Michael Klinger made a winning farewell after announcing his retirement from the Big Bash League.
The 38-year-old is committed to play another T20 Blast season with Gloucestershire - his seventh Blast season at the club.
He will captain the side and fill a role as batting consultant and has been a pivotal part of the Scorchers’ success after crossing from the Adelaide Strikers in 2014, helping them win two titles and reach three finals in five seasons.
He made 71 not out off just 49 balls in the 2016-17 BBL final against the Sydney Sixers but has just endured his worst season in the BBL, scoring only 115 runs in nine innings at a strike-rate of just 83.33.
He even had the misfortune of being dismissed off the seventh ball of an over against the Sydney Sixers and was dropped from the Scorchers side after a duck against the Hobart Hurricanes in the following game.
Klinger was recalled to the squad for Sunday night’s final home game against the Melbourne Stars after Shaun Marsh was ruled out with hamstring tightness - and announced this would be his swansong.
The Scorchers celebrated stalwart Klinger’s farewell match in style with their best score of the season with 182-3 as Ashton Turner clubbed a belligerent 42-ball 69 after Klinger laid the platform with a run-a-ball 30.
Klinger looked rusty early on with several ugly swipes but seemed energised by the high-octane batting from Josh Inglis, who smacked five boundaries in his first 14 balls before holing out two balls later.
Klinger found his groove with trademark flowing drives to the boundary. He was joined by Turner, and a nudged single was his all-important 29th run to pass Chris Lynn as the leading run- scorer in the BBL history.
Another single brought up Klinger’s highest score of the season but thoughts of a fairytale finish evaporated when he holed out off Liam Plunkett in the 12th over.
Klinger, a dual champion with Scorchers, was acknowledged by several Stars players and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“This season so far has not gone to plan for both myself but more importantly the team and I’m looking forward to seeing the Scorchers get back to the top where we belong next season,” Klinger said.
“I have fantastic memories of my time with the Scorchers and I’d like to thank my teammates, coaching and support staff and all our fantastic fans for making my time so meaningful and enjoyable at this great club.
“Also, a huge thank you to my family for their continued unconditional support.
“I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me in cricket either on or off the field.”
Scorchers coach and former teammate Adam Voges said Klinger had made an enormous impact on the club.
“Maxy’s contribution to the Perth Scorchers has been outstanding,” Voges said.
“On the field his record speaks for itself and he has played a huge part in our success in recent years.
“Off the field you will not meet a nicer person who always puts the team’s needs ahead of his own.
BENNY Howell smashed a quickfire 53 not out for the Rangpur Riders in their Bangladesh Premier League clash with Comilla Victorians.
Howell hit three fours and five sixes in his whirlwind 28-ball innings, putting on 70 for the fifth wicket with Rilee Rossouw as Rangpur made 165-5 in their 20 overs.