Prolific batsman Michael Klinger has been selected to represent Australia A for the first time.

Klinger, 28, will play two four-day matches against Pakistan in July.

The selection comes shortly after the South Australian star won the 2009 State Player of the Year award after scoring more than 1,600 runs.

“My dream is to play Test cricket for Australia,” said Klinger. “But this is definitely a stepping stone to where I want to get to.”

Klinger will have to forego captaining Australia’s team at the upcoming Maccabiah because the dates clash. He is only the second Jewish cricketer to represent Australia in international cricket, following in the footsteps of Julien Wiener who played Test cricket.