GLOUCESTERSHIRE fans can breathe a sigh of relief after captain Michael Klinger was left unsold at the Indian Premier League auction.

It was feared the 33-year-old Australian batsman could miss up to nine games in the county cricket season, but none of the eight franchises decided to pay the reserve price of 10million Indian Rupees – almost £100,000 – to secure his services.

Klinger, who played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011, was among 514 players up for auction in Bengalaru.