Journeyman Michael Klinger is favourite to replace Greg Chappell as national selector
Cricket Australia is on the hunt to replace Greg Chappell as national selector. And journeyman Michael Klinger has emerged as a popular frontrunner.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cricket stars to unite for Peace at the Crease
- How to get the most from your Advertiser digital subscription
Michael Klinger is the frontline choice to join Trevor Hohns’ national selection panel with strong support from players, including Australian limited overs vice-captain Alex Carey.
Cricket Australia national teams manager Ben Oliver is steering the process to replace Greg Chappell as national selector. An ability to manage communication and relationships with players equals Twenty20 expertise in importance for the selector role entering a home World Cup year. Klinger has both qualities by the bucket load.
“Maxy is a guy I debuted with South Australia for. I caught up with him at Gloucester in England, is a great person to talk to about the game, on-field and off-field,” Carey told The Advertiser.
Stream international cricket Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS including every Australian Test, ODI and T20I on home soil. Get your 14-day free trial >
“He would fit well into that role if that was what he chose and the Australian system, board selected.”
Few have suffered at the whim of national selectors like Klinger who was overlooked for Test and one-day selection despite dominating domestic cricket for a decade. Klinger delivered 1000-run first-class seasons for South Australia and Western Australia in 2008-09 and 2014-15 respectively in career that yielded 30 tons and 11,320 runs at 39.3.
Klinger’s one-day record was exceptional with 7449 runs at 49.3 while leading South Australia to the 2011-12 title. “Maxy” won T20 trophies with South Australia and Perth Scorchers through 206 T20 appearances.
Klinger, Australia’s oldest T20 debutant aged 36 in 2017, is the perfect sounding board between rising Australian players, those discounted or demoted.
“His record shows he is one of the great domestic players and done a lot in his time, a fantastic person,” said Carey, who debuted for South Australia in 2013.
Klinger could emulate England selector James Taylor’s role — who as a recent and respected retiree — has detailed knowledge of current trends, players and their trust. Captain Klinger smashed 102 in his penultimate T20 clash to guide Gloucestershire to the 2019 Vitality Blast quarter-finals last month.
MORE NEWS
Former Australian opener Ed Cowan — who this year called for an overhaul of national selectors — is a candidate to join the national panel. Mark Waugh and Greg Chappell have stepped down opening positions to a new cohort of past players.
Former Test allrounder Cameron White is also pursuing a national selector position. It is yet to be determined how Adelaide Strikers recruit White would balance Big Bash League and any CA responsibility. White joining the NSP would be a juicy prospect having accused Hohns’ of picking ‘development teams’ rather than best sides in 2017.
Outspoken former Australian batsman Brad Hodge — who has extensive T20 experience — is also pitching for a selectors gig.