Michael Klinger pulls out of the Sheffield Shield season will play BPL 2017

Western Australia batsman Michael Klinger has decided to quit from the Sheffield Shield and announced his availability for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2017, that kicks off next month. The surprise decision comes after the left-hander was dropped from his domestic side in the first game against Tasmania. In reply, the Western Australia Cricket Association and Cricket Australia have also given Klinger a clean chit for playing the domestic T20 league in the sub-continent nation.

However, it is still to be known which franchise he will represent in the upcoming fifth edition of the tournament. Klinger will now be flying to Bangladesh to participate in the star-studded T20 league which also includes many of his fellow countrymen. On the other hand, Western Australia coach Justin Langer admitted that the decision to drop Klinger from the side was a tough call which had to be taken.

The story behind the axe

The 37-year-old is one of the most experienced cricketers in the WA squad presently, so it was surprising when he was dropped for the first match of the Sheffield Shield season. Langer mentioned that it was a very tough call. He also revealed that both Klinger and WA coaching staff have mutually decided on his participation in the BPL 2017.

“There will be some headaches and some really tough decisions,” he said.

It is also believed that the Aussie cricketer who made his debut in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, earlier this year, faced the axe because the players who had some international experience especially in the longer format were favoured ahead of him. Langer also stated that the talks were going on from months about the combination of the domestic side.

“We have been thinking about it for months … Seven into six will provide a challenge,” concluded the former Australian Test opener.