Sport
Klinger steps back from cricket duties to care for wife
Michael Klinger is taking a step back from cricket to care for his wife after she was diagnosed with cancer.
December 20, 2017 17:22
Michael Klinger is taking a step back from cricket to care for his wife after she was diagnosed with cancer.
December 20, 2017 17:22The Perth Scorchers veteran wrote a letter explaining his decision after wife Cindy was diagnosed with breast cancer last week.
Klinger, 37, has been continously overlooked by Australian Test selectors despite being one of the most prolific run-scorers over the past few years.
He made a long-awaited international T20 debut earlier this year and has contributed heavily with the bat in the English County Championship with Gloucestershire, captaining their one-day team.
In a letter posted in full on the Scorchers website about his wife's illness, Klinger wrote: "The results of the 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.
"We had to tell our kids of the fight their mother now faces, which is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. In fact, along with delivering a eulogy at my mother’s funeral, it was the hardest and most terrible thing I’ve had to do in my life.
"I have never considered myself to be the most skilled or flashy batsman going around, but every time I step on the field, I do so with a winning and competitive attitude – I’m a fighter,” Klinger penned.
"For the 14 years since I met Cindy, she has been my number one supporter, my confidant, my motivator, my carer. My everything.
"But our roles reversed from the moment we found out Cindy had cancer.
"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."
Klinger competed for Australia at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1997.