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Handscomb backs Klinger for Ashes role

15 July 2015

With question marks over Australia’s middle order ahead of second Ashes Test Peter Handscomb has backed team mate Michael Klinger as a possible solution.

Speculation has been rife that Shane Watson is set to be axed for the Lord’s encounter with Mitchell Marsh his likely replacement.

But Handscomb – who  jets off to India to join up with the Australia A tour on Friday – says if the selectors were to look outside the squad they would find the perfect replacement in Klinger.

He said: “No doubt he could do a job for Australia if selected. He’s been quality in all forms of the game and has been for the last few years. With guys like Adam Voges and Chris Rogers making their debut later in their careers it shows that age isn’t a factor, so no doubt in my mind he would be successful if he was given the chance.”

Klinger, 35, has scored more than a thousand runs for Glos since returning to the county in late May. He has made 408 runs at an average of 45 in the LV=County Championship and 653 in the NatWest T20 Blast – just 24 runs off the competition record for the group stages.

And Handscomb – who will return to Gloucestershire at the end of the A tour – says not only is the Glos T20 scoring runs he is also a great man to have in the dressing room.

He added: “Maxy is in unbelievable form at the moment. Talking to him on and off the field about the game I have been able to pick up quite a few things. It’s amazing being able to learn from someone who knows their own game so well and I have definitely chewed his ear off a few times.”

Before re-joining Gloucestershire Klinger was the leading runscorer in this year’s Big Bash League – which he won with Perth Scorchers. He also claimed the One Day cup with Western Australia and finished runners-up to Handscomb’s Victoria in the four-day Sheffield Shield.

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