GLOUCESTERSHIRE Cricket legend Michael Klinger has announced his retirement from the first class game.

Klinger, who joined Gloucestershire as club captain in December 2012, has been prolific in both red and white ball cricket and was captain of the Gloucestershire side that lifted the Royal London One-Day Cup in 2015 after defeating Surrey at Lords.

The 37-year-old has played 182 First Class matches, amassing 11,320 runs at an average of 39.3, with a high score of 255, achieved while playing for South Australia against Western Australia in his debut season with the Redbacks.

He has also had a prolific career with the Perth Scorchers in Australia’s KFC Big Bash League.

Gloucestershire fans will have one last summer to see the outstanding batsman in action as he plays for the county in the T20Blast. He is also committed to playing in Bangladesh and the Big Bash League during 2018 before hanging up his bat.

He said: “I’ve learnt about professionalism, effective communication, having fun and have been extremely fortunate to be part of four trophy-winning teams with the Warriors and Scorchers.

“This was no doubt a big reason for me getting an opportunity to represent my country last year in a few T20 games, which is up there with the highlights of my career.

“Young stars, along with our elite talent, coming through the ranks has made my decision a lot easier, as I know WA cricket is in a good place.

“I also need to send a huge thank you to my family for all their support, in particular my wife Cindy and kids Bailey, Summer and Easton, who have travelled with me for the last ten years, both interstate and overseas, to give me the best opportunity to chase my dreams.”

Another reason for Klinger’s decision may be to spend more time with his family after the shock revelation at Christmas last year that his wife has cancer.

In a letter at the time, posted on the Perth Scorchers website, Klinger revealed: “My wife Cindy had a routine scan on her back, which had been causing her pain and no physiotherapy or anti-inflammatory tablets seemed to help.

“The result of that scan completely shocked and devastated us.

“Doctors identified three spots on her vertebrae that required further investigation – within hours, we were told she had cancer.

“A biopsy was taken of the lesion and determined that my wife of almost 10 years had breast cancer that, based on the information we have so far, has spread to at least those three spots identified on her spine.”

And he added: “Cindy must now take the mantle as the ‘fighter’ and bring a positive and winning attitude to every treatment and hurdle she runs into along the way.

“I, on the other hand, need to become chief carer, supporter and motivator.

“Playing cricket, right at this moment, is secondary.”