This will be the first time Michael Klinger will play in the T20 series Getty Images
This will be the first time Michael Klinger will play in the T20 series. Getty Images

Cricket in Australia is all set to embrace new trends this season. With a team of new players who are all set to play in the upcoming Twenty20 International series, veteran Western Australian batsman Michael Klinger will also be joining them against Sri Lanka at the MCG this Friday. Klinger, 36, has never played for the national team before in spite of having an outstanding, First-Class career span of 18 years. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs South Africa 2017

Klinger came in limelight after his spectacular performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) which proved to be a boost to his career. His impressive 71 runs in 49 balls, made him secure a win for the Perth Scorchers, for the third time in the league. Klinger was most certain of being a part of the series against Sri Lanka after his domestic coach and Interim T20 coach for the Australian team, Justin Langer, backed him publicly.

Klinger states he was losing hope at being a part of One-Day and Test series and with young players like Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw’s being selected in the team, he was certain of Cricket Australia’s preference for the younger talents. Scoring around 11,000 First-Class runs at an average of almost 40, Klinger has been a consistent performer but was not able to make a cut in the national team. However he believes, it was the T20 series that helped him back up against the other players.

On critics doubting the capability of the new team, Klinger is of the opinion that everyone will be playing their best. “Every time I play, I am trying to be man-of-the-match which goes a long way to the team winning, he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. He further added, getting throw downs from veteran Ricky Pointing, whom he also looked up to as a child was one of the special moments while training with the national side.

Klinger also expressed his excitement on playing the match at his hometown, Melbourne. He told the media, “Super exciting….obviously to find out a couple of weeks ago (of being picked in the squad) and the first few phone calls speaking to the family. The way it’s worked out being in my hometown of Melbourne… I have a lot of family and friends around which will be great.”