Michael Klinger signs new three-year deal with Gloucestershire

Michael Klinger has signed a new three-year deal that will keep him at Gloucestershire until the end of the 2019 season.

The right-handed batsman originally joined the club as captain across all three formats in 2012 before ceding the captaincy in the four-day game to Gareth Roderick last season. 

From 2017, the 36-year-old will concentrate on 50-over and T20 cricket while retaining the option to play in the County Championship on a game-by-game basis.

He has scored nearly 11,000 first-class runs with a highest score of 255 and his 531 runs in the Royal London Cup last season helped Gloucestershire reach their first Lord's final for 11 years, which they won against Surrey.

"I am also very excited to commit to T20 with Gloucestershire for the longer term," he said.

"It is also a great opportunity for Gloucestershire to choose the next overseas player to take the club forward in four-day cricket and hopefully create his own and the team's success in the years to come.

"I'm looking forward to doing everything in my power in my last few Championship games with the club to help us be in hopefully a good position for promotion come the end of the 2016 season."

Head coach Richard Dawson said: "I'm delighted that Michael has decided to commit his future to Gloucestershire. He continues to show that he is a high-class performer and a match winner. 

"He is also an outstanding professional both on and off the pitch. It's great news for the club."