Captain Klinger commits his future to Gloucestershire ahead of T20 Quarter Final
4 August 2016
Gloucestershire Cricket is delighted to announce that Michael Klinger has extended his contract at the Club for a further 3 years.
The new contract sees the superstar Aussie, winner of the national "Most Valuable Player" award for T20 and 50 over cricket in 2015 and current T20 leader for the 2016 season commit to Gloucestershire until the end of the 2019 playing season.
From 2017 he will concentrate on 50 over and T20 cricket whilst retaining an option to play in the 4- day County Championship on a match by match basis.
In 2015 Michael famously flew back from a short break in Australia to score 137* as Gloucestershire beat Yorkshire in last season’s Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final before leading them to victory in the final at Lord’s v Surrey.
He originally joined Gloucestershire as Club Captain in December 2012 – succeeding Alex Gidman – and has returned every year, initially as Captain across all formats and last season as skipper in one day and T20 cricket.
Michael began his career in Australia with Victoria but after a spell with South Australia, he now plays for Western Australia (WA) and the Perth Scorchers.
Richard Dawson, Head Coach, said: "I'm delighted that Michael has decided to commit his future to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. He continues to show that he is a high class performer and a match winner. He is also an outstanding professional both on and off the pitch.
It's great news for the club."
Commenting on his contract extension, Michael said: “I am delighted to commit to Gloucestershire for white ball cricket next year and T20 in the longer term.
“When I signed my extension last year, the Club and I didn't know that the formats will be played in blocks in 2017. My original contract would have meant I missed the One Day competition. These new terms allow me to commit to the Club for two shorter stints which also suits my family with a third child due in October and my older children enjoying school in Perth.
“I am also very excited to commit to T20 with Gloucestershire for the longer term.
“It is also a great opportunity for Gloucestershire to choose the next overseas player to take the Club forward in 4-day cricket and hopefully create his own and the team’s success in the years to come.
“I'm looking forward to doing everything in my power in my last few Championship games with the Club to help us be in hopefully a good position for promotion come the end of the 2016 season.”
Chief Executive, Will Brown, added: “There is no doubt that in the last few years we have been privileged to have Michael in the team and he is, rightly, already thought of as one of Gloucestershire's greats.
“His professionalism and integrity, both on and off the pitch, is fantastic to see and, as ever, he continues to perform at the very highest of levels. We look forward to the success that he and the rest of the squad will bring as we continue to grow into the future.”
Gloucestershire play Durham Jets in a NatWest T20 Blast Quarter Final at the Brightside Ground on Wednesday 10 August, click here to purchase tickets
