08 November, 2009
South Australian batsman Michael Klinger has described the media's coverage of his lean start to the season as a 'bit harsh'.
Klinger, who was the Sheffield Shield's leading run scorer in his first season with the Redbacks in 2008-09, had been under the spotlight after making just 42 runs in his first four knocks in the four-day competition.
His last-minute axing from the side's opening Ford Ranger Cup match and then a first-ball duck in their limited overs fixture against the Bulls also provided negative fodder for the scribes.
But his slow start to the year was quickly forgotten when he ground out an important 84 on the opening day of South Australia's Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Adelaide Oval.
The former Bushranger said he never felt out of touch despite his meagre returns.
"I've been feeling pretty good and I think you guys have been a bit harsh on me over the last couple of weeks to be honest because I've only missed out a few times and coming off a pretty good season last year," he said.
"That's the way it is, I've got to do my job and you guys have to do your job and keep pushing away and keep building from here until the end of the year."
"Obviously there were high expectations because of last year and I expect hopefully to match those expectations but it's not always that easy."
Klinger did admit being dropped from the Redbacks opening FRC squad did unsettle him.
"No doubt it sapped a bit of confidence out of me because I was expecting to play, because I was top scorer (for the Redbacks) last year in that format and made team of the year," he said.
"It's up to me to really fight back from that and prove those people who made those decisions wrong."
Meanwhile Klinger said he was disappointed he didn't 'cash in' on the opening day of the Shield match against the Bulls. The Redbacks made 3-275 with Klinger dismissed in the final session just as the runs began to flow.
"It was a bit slow going for a while there but to finish up three down puts us in a good position to really press and hopefully get a 400 plus total," he said.
Bulls captain Chris Simpson said it was a hard-fought beginning to the contest.
"I think neither side is on top. If they lose two quick wickets we are in the box seat and conversely they can capitalise on sending us out into the field for a hot day," he said.