Michael Klinger takes break from cricket for ailing wife

A tough competitor on the pitch, Australian batsman Michael Klinger is probably fighting the biggest battle of his life off it. Last year, he starred for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash, finishing as the third-highest run-getter overall in the tournament's sixth edition. This season, around the same time, Klinger has been forced to take an indefinite break from the game, with shocking news coming in about his wife, Cindy Klinger, battling breast cancer.

While speaking withWest Australian newspaper, Klinger said: "Last week, my wife Cindy had a routine scan on her back, which had been causing her pain and no physiotherapy or anti-inflammatory tablets seemed to help,"

The Klinger family with the BBL trophy earlier this year

"The result of that 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.

"Playing cricket, right at this moment, is secondary. It still may happen, because Cindy wants me to play and says it will be a good distraction for her and the kids to see me do so, either on TV or at The Furnace. But, by my choice, if playing clashes with any appointments or treatments, or if Cindy or the kids need me, I will be by their side."

Despite being a prolific run-scorer in the domestic circuit, Klinger got his Australia cap only this year, becoming one of the oldest T20I debutants, against Sri Lanka in February.

Last season, he scored 334 runs for the Scorchers, including a 71 in the finals that helped the side win their third title in six editions.

The side's coach, Justin Langer, along with the entire team, promised their support for Klinger during the tough time.

“It’s been a great shock. We were all together on Tuesday morning at Clancy’s having a family breakfast, and Cindy was there. To get some news a couple of days later is a great shock.They’re a very close family, so they’ll be resilient and they’ll stick together. But they’re struggling. It’s hard work.”

“We’ve got his back and his family’s back. That’s what we’re good at,” he said.