Australia’s loss is our gain, says Dawson

CRICKET MICHAEL Klinger could be playing for Gloucestershire into his forties after signing a new-three-year contract with the county.

The Australian batsman’s long-term deal will see him concentrate on white ball cricket while playing the longer format on a game-to-game basis.

Klinger will play in 50 over and T20 cricket in 2017 as well as four-day cricket.

The final two years of his stay, that runs until the summer of 2019, will see the Perth Scorchers opener play as the overseas pro in the NatWest T20 Blast.

Klinger said: “These new terms allow me to commit to the club for two shorter stints. It suits my family with a third child due and my older children enjoying school in Perth.”

Klinger, who has captained Gloucesteshire across all formats as an overseas player since 2013, has emerged as one of the most prolific run getters in English cricket.

He has maintained his form Down Under with both South Australia and Western Australia. But despite calls for an Australia international call-up, Klinger has been overlooked.

Now at 36, time has surely run out but Gloucesteshire coach Richard Dawson says Australia’s loss has been the west country’s gain.

Dawson said: “We have been privileged to have Michael in the team and he is already thought of as one of Gloucestershire’s greats.”