Big Bash League: Michael Klinger leads the table for most runs scored: Michael Klinger leads the table for most runs scored: Michael ‘Maxy’ Klinger of Australia, skipper of Perth Scorchers, is at the top of the table for ‘most run scored’ in the Big Bash League, the Australian version of IPL.
Featuring in 35 matches (35 innings), between 2011 and 2015, he has amassed 1,151 runs at an average of 39.68, with 105* as his highest score. He has a century and 8 half-centuries to his credit.
He has remained unbeaten on 6 occasions and also has the rare distinction of scoring a couple of ducks. 49.34% (568 runs have been scored by way of fours (112) and sixes (20).
Klinger in the company of Shaun Marsh, created a record in BBL, when they went on to win the game against Melbourne Renegades by 10 wickets. This is the first ever 10-wicket in the history of BBL.
In the game that was played at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Scorchers won the toss and put the opposition in to bat. Powered by the first-wicket partnership of 98 runs in 11.2 overs between Chris Gayle (72 runs in 48 deliveries), Andrew Finch (41 runs in 35 deliveries) and another 35 runs off 24 deliveries by the wicket-keeper Mathew Wade, Renegades notched up 170 runs for 4 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 171 runs for a win, Scorchers achieved the target in 18.4 overs. The openers, Marsh (76* runs off 54 deliveries) and Klinger (90* off 58 deliveries) sealed the game (10 wicket victory) in their favour, with 8 deliveries to spare.
Klinger was honoured with the Player of the Match award.
Speaking to cric.com.au Klinger said, “It was awesome, I was a little bit nervous after the start because I thought (the Renegades”) 170 was probably 15 too many on a wicket which was slowing up a little bit.”
“Me and SOS (Shaun Marsh) seem to bat well together, whether it”s the four-day game or T20s opening together”.
Klinger brought up back-to-back half centuries, as he had scored an unbeaten 53* runs off 43 deliveries in the previous game against Brisbane Heat, played on 26th December, 2015, at WACA, Perth. Scorchers win the game by 9 wickets with 29 deliveries to spare.
Earlier playing for Western Australia in 5 games (9 innings) of the Sheffield Shield Tournament 2015-16, Klinger has scored 453 runs at an average of 64.71 with 202* (in the first innings against Tasmania) as his best. He also has a century and three half-centuries to his credit.
His performance in the ongoing BBL should definitely attract the attention of Cricket Australia selectors to consider him as a prospect to don the Australian colours for the upcoming T20I Word Cup.
Interacting with cricket.com.au, he said, “”Obviously I”d love to (be selected) and all I can do is keep scoring runs in this format or other formats.”
“Hopefully one of the four selectors calls me one day and tells me I”m in”.
“If not, I”m still enjoying myself, but I”d love to represent Australia.”
