Klinger to fill Hughes' boots

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Worcestershire have confirmed Australia batsman Phil Hughes will not begin his stint at the club until late May due to international commitments.

The left-handed opener, who had agreed to spend the entire summer at New Road, has been selected to participate in a training camp and will now link up with Worcestershire in late May.

Countryman Michael Klinger, who recently captained South Australia to glory in the Ryobi One-Day Cup, has been signed up to deputise for Hughes in the opening weeks of the domestic season.

Hughes said: “I now have commitments with Australia that will delay my arrival at Worcestershire until late May. While it has cut my time in the UK back, I am very confident that I will be better prepared and ready to play my part in what should be a successful campaign for Worcestershire."

Upon signing Klinger, Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “I saw Mike play out in Adelaide against New South Wales in October and his skill, attitude and maturity as a player made me sit up and take note.

“Mike has recently captained South Australia to the domestic one-day title and his batting was one of the main reasons for the success as he was the top run-scorer in the competition."

Phil Hughes, pictured, will miss the start of the domestic season due to international commitments, with Michael Klinger deputising

“I am looking forward to welcoming him to New Road and working with him.”

Klinger added: “I am extremely excited to be joining Worcestershire for the start of the season. I've heard many good things about the county and I look forward to contributing to the team in getting some wins early in the season.

“The experience in playing in English conditions is something I'm looking forward to as I endeavour to continue to improve my game."

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