Klinger angered by departure from SA

Michael Klinger has revealed he felt compelled to leave South Australia after being told he would be only a fringe part of the Redbacks' plans for next season, and disputed the suggestion that he left the state for a richer contract with Western Australia.

Currently in England as captain of Gloucestershire, 33-year-old Klinger said he was cornered into the decision after being told he was no guarantee of taking his usual place in the SA top order for 2014-15. This directive surprised Klinger, who still retains ambitions of playing for Australia at next year's World Cup.

"I was disappointed and disagreed with the feedback I received. Two Shield games ago I scored a double-ton for South Australia," Klinger told The Advertiser. "Without sounding arrogant, I feel I am too good a player to not play a full season of Shield cricket. I still have ambitions to play one-day cricket for Australia in the 2015 World Cup but if you are not playing Shield cricket you are out of people's minds."

When the move was announced, SACA's high performance manager Jamie Cox had said that Klinger's decision was influenced by the provision of greater "contract security" with the Warriors. However Klinger said he had not been seeking a contract extension or greater remuneration, and was hurt to be leaving teammates he had grown close to and a city he and his family had made their home over six years.

"It was not a contract or money issue," he said. "The two years over one from WA helped, but I only had a guaranteed opportunity to play first-class cricket in one place. The hardest thing is leaving my team-mates. SA will have success soon and to not be part of that hurts a lot.

"It has been a pretty emotional couple of sleepless nights for us. The decision was taking a toll. I was getting a lot of love from Justin Langer, saying I would help their young players and help as a leader for WA."