Strikers secure devastating top-order pair

The Adelaide Strikers are set to explode at the top of the innings after signing two of the best top-order batsmen in Twenty20 cricket; Michael Klinger and Phillip Hughes.

Having secured paceman Kane Richardson, Gary Putland and Shaun Tait last week, along with Strikers captain, Johan Botha, coach Darren Berry is now focusing on building the rest of his line up before the Big Bash League player signing window finishes on Friday.

Klinger is in Brisbane at the Centre of Excellence, preparing to head overseas with Australia A, who leave today for the tour of England.

The inaugural Adelaide Strikers MVP is ready to help the Strikers back to success in BBL|02.

“It’s really exciting to be back on board with the Strikers. We were really unlucky last year with a couple of key injuries to Gary Putland and Kieron Pollard before the competition even started, so that really under-rated where we were at.

“To have kept together the bulk of last year’s team, with a couple of major additions like Johan Botha and Shaun Tait, we’re really pumped. Throw in a fully-fit guy like Putland, who is capable of really good things, and Kane Richardson, we are really building a team that can bring it to the best.

“It was amazing to be at Adelaide Oval last year for the first season of the KFC T20 Big Bash League. Knowing we have Taity coming back home, and with myself and Phil Hughes at the top of the order, and Botha in the mix, I’m really keen to make sure we show our supporters the Strikers are good to go.”

Phillip Hughes, in England currently playing for Worcestershire, said signing with the Strikers was an easy decision.

“I’m really pumped to have signed with the Strikers for the next three years,” Hughes said. “With my state cricket move to Adelaide, this was the perfect fit for me.

“Chuck Berry is renowned for doing things differently and I can wait to play T20 under him.

“It’s a talented list that’s been put together and I’ve played with a number of the boys on national teams before.

“South Australian cricket is set to make a big step forward and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

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