The former Australian batsman Michael Klinger has been appointed the new Head Coach of Gujarat Giants ahead of the WPL season 2, replacing another Australian Veteran Rachael Haynes. The WPL season 2 will kickstart on Febraury 23 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Gujarat Giants lost thier skipper Beth Mooney in the very first game of the tournamnet due to a calf injury last year. Giants later announced Sneh Rana as the captain and had a forgettable season in the inaugural edition with just 2 wins from 8 games and finsihed at the bottom of the table.
With Klinger’s appointment and the return of stylish Beth Mooney, the Giants unit is hoping for change of fortunes this time around. Gujarat Giants will begin their campaign on Febraury 25 in Bengaluru against the defending campions Mumbai Indians.
Coach saheb padharya! 🤩
We are delighted to welcome former Australian cricketer @maxyklinger as our head coach for the upcoming WPL season. 🙌🧡#BringItOn #GujaratGiants #Adani pic.twitter.com/iJjqnSUo9K
— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 6, 2024
Michael Klinger’s experience will bring out the best from players, says Mithali Raj
Michael Klinger will join the former Indian legend Mithali Raj, who is serving as a mentor and the bowling coach Nooshin Al Khadeer at the Giants camp.
Speaking about Michael Klinger’s appointment, Mithali Raj said, “Working with Michael will help bring out the best in the Gujarat Giants players. His expertise with the bat is also well-known, and will surely benefit some of the younger members of our team. We look forward to having Klinger in the dressing room. We are sure of attaining success with him as head coach.”
Michael Klinger is regarded as one of the domestic walwarts and was unfortunate to not play as many games for Australia. He had successful campaigns in the domestic cirucit and in BBL playing for Perth Scorchers. The 43 year old played only 3 T20Is for his country and scored 143 runs with one 50+ score.
Speaking about his recent appointment as head coach, Michael Klinger said, “The Gujarat Giants have a chance to do something special in season two of the WPL. I’m eagerly looking forward to working with cricketing legend Mithali Raj, who has played a transformative role in women’s cricket in India. I hope to take the team to ultimate glory.”
Besides tons of experience in the franchise cricket acroos the world, Michael Klinger also posses a fair amount of coaching experience. He recently served as an assistant coach of Sydney Thunder Women at WBBL, where the team finished at fourth. Earlier in 2019 after his retiremnt, he served as head coach of Melbourne Renegades in BBL for two seasons.
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