Klinger posts record century in England

Veteran batsman Michael Klinger says he still harbours hopes of playing for Australia after scoring a record-breaking century for Gloucestershire in England’s domestic T20 competition.

Klinger smashed an unbeaten 126 off just 68 balls last weekend to help Gloucestershire to a 34-run victory over an Essex side featuring former Australia bowler Shaun Tait.

It was the highest T20 score made by a Gloucestershire batsman, and struck comparisons with his unbeaten on 105 off 60 balls for the Perth Scorchers during the 2014-15 KFC T20 Big Bash League season.

Klinger scores a BBL ton in style

What made the performance even more remarkable was the fact Klinger had only arrived in the United Kingdom from Perth on three days earlier and had been struggling to sleep.

After the match, Klinger said he had found a useful cure for jetlag.

“It was down to the four coffees I had this morning,” the Gloucester limited-overs skipper told the Bristol Post.

“My sleep patterns have been all over the place and I’ve needed the caffeine just to keep me going.”

Gloucester have made a strong start to the season and Klinger said he hoped he could make the most of the momentum to stake his claim on an international call-up.

"I have returned to find a lot of belief in our dressing room," the 34-year-old told the Gloucester Echo.

"I still have ambitions to play for Australia so I'll be doing all I can to keep piling on the runs over here this summer."

Klinger was the third-most prolific batsman of the Australian 2014-15 summer, scoring 1646 runs at 49.89 for the Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors and the Perth Scorchers.

Tait played his part for Essex, finishing with bowling figures of 2-37.

Klinger and Tait are not the only Australians making an impact on England’s county scene.

John Hastings’ red-hot county cricket form continued for Durham in the County Championship on Tuesday when the allrounder bagged seven wickets against Worcestershire.

Hastings’ 7-60 from 12.3 overs, helped dismiss Worcestershire for 192, leaving Durham needing 318 to win.

Image Id: ~/media/A7A6A394668D447E97A9743673E0BB12John Hastings appeals for a wicket // Getty Images

The visitors ended the day three 48 runs shy of their target with seven wickets in hand, thanks to an unbeaten century from former England captain Paul Collingwood.

“"The response from the first innings has been magnificent. We have shown our character,” Collingwood, who scored the unbeaten 111 on the 39th birthday, said.

"It's been an amazing day to get a hundred on my birthday and get us into a winning position.”

Hastings’ performance followed his two wickets in England’s domestic T20 competition last weekend.

In Division One, Somerset are on course for victory over reigning champions Yorkshire after Tom Cooper scored 99 for the visitors.

Cooper’s knock helped Somerset post 485 – a first-innings lead of 47 - before Craig Overton took two wickets in two balls to reduce Yorkshire to 5-117, with Glenn Maxwell dismissed for two.

The visitors reached 5-171 at stumps, a lead of 124.