OTHER JEWISH CRICKET NEWS
Klinger notches up maiden double-century
Picture: Ray Titus
Former Maccabi AJAX junior cricketer Michael Klinger today notched up his maiden first-class double-century in South Australia's Sheffield Shield match at the Adelaide Oval, and will resume his innings on 221*when play resumes on day four tomorrow.
Klinger shared in a 259-run stand for the third wicket with Cameron Borgas (105) and the pair have enabled the Redbacks to not only secure first innings points, but have put their side in a position to push for outright points going into the final day with the Redbacks finishing on 6/434 in response to Western Australia's 309.
Klinger's score of 221 has come off 475 balls and has included 29 fours, and will be looking to add a few more quick runs tomorrow before heading into the field - where, incidentally, he has also been performing well having taken three catches in WA's first innings.
Klinger is far and away the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield thus far in season 2008/09, having scored 582 runs at the impressive average of 116.4, while he has also notched up 155 Ford Ranger Cup runs at an average of 51.67.
Klinger's long-term mentor and batting coach - and current Maccabi AJAX skills coach - Joe Silver, has been riding the joys of Klinger's success all season long.
"I am just so unbelievably thrilled and excited for him," Silver said.
"All those years of hard work, dedication, belief, his strong work ethic, they are all starting to show through now.
"Moving to South Australia has been the best move he has ever made - he proved himself as a kid, then he proved himself at district level but unfortunately he just never had the opportunity to fully reach his potential [with Victoria] - there would always be something distracting him.
"He did have the opportunity of moving to Tasmania a few years ago and I suspect the same thing would have happened there as is happenning now - in my mind I always knew he was bound to succeed, it just took a little longer than some other guys - but at 28, you never know, the Australian selectors will surely have to have a look at him the way he's going at the moment.
"He's a far more complete cricketer than he has ever been - he's more relaxed, he's a leader in the side and now he just needs to build up his average and be consistent.
"I am so pleased for Michael, and also for his wife and family," Silver concluded.
