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Klinger calls stumps on first-class career

WA veteran announces he will retire from first-class cricket following the conclusion of the Warriors' season

Veteran Michael Klinger has confirmed his retirement from first-class cricket after 182 matches and more than 11,000 runs.

Klinger will continue to play T20 cricket, including in the KFC BBL, but has confirmed the end of a first-class career that began almost two decades ago.

2017: Klinger impresses on international debut

"I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have been part of the Australian domestic cricket structure for 19 years in a row and I’ve loved and appreciated every minute of it," the 37-year-old said in a statement.

"Throughout this period, I’ve learnt about professionalism, effective communication, having fun and have been extremely fortunate to be part of four trophy-winning teams with the Warriors and Scorchers."

Klinger has not played in the JLT Sheffield Shield for Western Australia this season and with his chances of returning to the side in doubt, he opted to play in the Bangladesh Premier League late last year.

It's been a turbulent summer for Klinger, who learnt of his wife Cindy's cancer diagnosis during the season.

"I also need to send a huge thank you to my family for all their support, in particular my wife Cindy and kids Bailey, Summer and Easton, who have travelled with me for the last 10 years, both interstate and overseas, to give me the best opportunity to chase my dreams," he said.

Klinger finishes his first-class career with 11,320 runs at an average of 39.30, with 30 centuries.

He's played at three domestic teams in Australia - Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia - as well as English county sides Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

2015: Klinger passes 200 in masterful display

Despite playing several times for Australia A, he will be remembered as one of the best batsmen to never play Test cricket for Australia.

He did finally represent Australia last year, playing three T20 matches against Sri Lanka.

"The greatest complement I could give Michael Klinger is to explain how I’ve been pinching myself every day since he agreed to come to the WACA, because he’s such an incredible cricketer and incredible bloke," said WA coach Justin Langer.

"He is an outstanding person both on and off the field and it’s been an absolute pleasure to have him here at the WACA."

Having captained Australia's Under-19 team - with future Test skipper Michael Clarke as his deputy - Klinger made his first-class debut in March 1999 and had a total of nine seasons with the Bushrangers before he moved to South Australia in 2008.

2015: Klinger shines for Warriors

His early time at the Vics came with a touch of controversy; skipper Paul Reiffel declared when his young batsman was on 99 not out in a match in 2001, denying Klinger his maiden first-class century. He remains the only Australian batsman to be left stranded on 99 not out due to a declaration.

The right-hander did eventually post a three-figure score for the Vics but he never quite reached his best at first-class level in his home state, leading to his move west. And he made an immediate impact at the Redbacks, scoring 1203 runs and averaging more than 70 in his first Shield season there, including four centuries.

It earned him his first call-up to Australia A in 2009 and after he averaged 63 the following Shield season, he was again picked for Australia A in 2010, 2012 and finally at the start of the 2013-14 summer. But he never quite took his chance with the A side, averaging just 22.8 in 15 innings at the level, and that was as close as he came to a treasured Baggy Green.

He moved to the Warriors in 2014 and made an immediate impact there as well, scoring more than 1000 runs and averaging 58 as the Warriors made the Shield final in his first season at the WACA Ground.

2016: Another Shield ton for in-form Klinger

He also enjoyed great success in the county championship in England, with 12 of his 30 first-class tons coming in the UK.

The Warriors have confirmed Klinger will miss the upcoming Shield round for personal reasons, but he will be available for their final Shield match of the season, if required.