You've done it again Max

Michael “Max” Klinger has continued his extraordinary season with yet another century to steer South Australia to a record run-chase against Tasmania in Adelaide in the Ford Ranger Cup.

Klinger’s highest score in one-day domestic cricket, 133no off 128 balls, is his fourth in all forms this season and was the key to the Redbacks outstanding run chase which surpassed the previous best domestic chase in Adelaide of 2/308. That night Darren Lehmann and Matthew Elliot put Western Australia to the sword in Lehmann’s last one-day innings in Redback colours.

The chase was a nod to the old adage simplicity is the essence of design. The Redbacks were in control from the start with an opening platform of 114 which was their highest of this season. Tom Cooper showed class that belied his 22 years whilst Klinger provided the glue.

Klinger spoke of his younger partner as a “unique talent” in the post-match and nothing showed this more than Dan Marsh mouthing “how has he hit that there” after he was cut for four by the former New South Welshman. Cooper struck eight classy boundaries in his 66 before falling to a superbly judged catch in the deep from George Bailey.

Younis Khan’s entry filled the air with assurance. He calmly compiled 78 with Klinger, playing risk-free cricket and showing all of his international experience. They never let the rate climb above eight-an-over, whilst keeping wickets and a power-play in hand. Khan’s indiscriminate scoop to mid-off, which saw him depart for 35, prior to the power play proved a blessing in disguise.

Batting clean-up in baseball parlance, Callum Ferguson came in and did exactly that. He got off the mark with a gorgeous straight drive off Luke Butterworth. He was given a life on 13 when Jason Krejza grassed a sharp offering at cover and it proved a catalyst.

His two best shots came off Chris Duval in the batting power play. Twice in consecutive deliveries he stepped outside off stump and clipped length balls into the Chappell stands. Although he fell with the equation reading 35 from 28, his 35 ball 52 showed why selectors had kept faith with him through a long period of unconverted starts. Two centuries and a 52 from his last six sojourns to the crease have showcased his superior talents.

The game was far from secure at the start of the 47th but Klinger made a mockery of Brendan Drew’s seventh over. He crushed a good delivery through cover for four before punishing a full toss for a maximum.

With the equation at 17 from 18 and a tight off-side field to Krejza, Dan Christian twice fearlessly raced at the test off-spinner to clear the ring for boundaries.

Despite falling with four to win Christian’s 19 was crucial and capped off a good day following three wickets with the ball.

Aaron O’Brien edged the winning runs to third man and a record chase was sealed.

To chase a record you must first concede a record and Tasmania’s batting clinic earlier in the day surprised no one given their recent form.

For the Tigers it begins at the top. Michael Dighton came into the match as the competition’s leading run-scorer with 312 runs at 52 which included three half centuries. A blistering cut shot for four first ball signalled his intentions. He struck the ball powerfully through and over the off-side in his fourth half-ton of the year.

Tim Paine neatly picked apart nervous debutant Jake Haberfield in a delightful 21 before he had to retire hurt. It seemed from afar that the Adelaide Oval’s carpet like surface had somehow claimed yet another ankle ligament.

Bailey and Dighton, in the same over, doubled Christian’s career wicket tally but this brought together an in-form Marsh and Travis Birt. In a brutal display of hitting Birt launched seven sixes in an 80 ball 94. He and Marsh combined for Tasmania’s all-time 3rd wicket record of 159 surpassing Gary Goodman and John Hampshire, who incredibly accumulated 152 in Brisbane 30 years ago to the day.

Despite Marsh being starved of the strike late, big hitting from Krejza and Drew ensured the Tigers set the highest domestic score in Adelaide.

Most thought it was too many. Few had factored in Michael Klinger. He now has compiled a staggering 1138 runs in all forms of domestic cricket this summer.

But it is the importance of his runs that speak volumes about his value. His 150 against Victoria staved off certain Sheffield Shield defeat as did his 74 against NSW. But his century last week in Queensland guided South Australia to its first four-day victory in twelve months whilst his 79 and 133no in the Ford Ranger Cup have led to the only two Redback wins in that competition this season.

When Klinger arrived in Adelaide, radio personality Ken Cunningham brazenly announced that the former Victorian “can’t play”. With a first-class average under 30 Klinger said Cunningham was not far wrong. But he has come to a relaxed atmosphere in Adelaide. Instead of fearing for his spot he has relished in the responsibility of being a senior player.

Senior players win matches. Klinger has done that in spades. The one-time prodigy, who Allan Border once proclaimed would play for Australia, has come full circle. He is playing with the assuredness of a 28 year-old seasoned pro, but he says he feels like he’s starting his career again at 19.

Given there are two overseas tours next year, if Klinger can continue his remarkable form post-Christmas, he may yet fulfill Border’s bold prediction. Australia could use his services, but South Australia is more than happy to keep him for now. The Redbacks are on the rise. You’ve done it again Max.