One of the stars of Tasmania's Pura Cup triumph, Sean Clingeleffer was lucky to be in the side. After becoming the Tigers' first-choice wicketkeeper in 2000-01, Clingeleffer had not missed a Pura Cup match in six seasons until a slow opening to his 2006-07, combined with the emergence of Tim Paine, led to his axing. Fortunately for Clingeleffer, Paine's batting suffered from the dual roles and the Tigers reverted to their old setup. Clingeleffer entered the final against New South Wales with no half-centuries for the season. He helped steady the first innings with 41 and was immovable in the second, batting for almost the whole fourth day and blocking the Blues out of the contest with 107 from 423 minutes. His 163-run stand with Luke Butterworth ensured the title settled in Hobart for the first time and delayed any questions over his future. It was his first century since he made two consecutive hundreds in 2001-02, and he finished last summer with 319 runs at 39.87 and 23 dismissals.

Until his recent rest, Clingeleffer had been a fixture of Tasmania's first-class teams since succeeding Mark Atkinson. In each of the previous three campaigns he had taken at least 29 dismissals and passed 400 runs. He hit four half-centuries in 2005-06 and collected 45 victims, including a state-record ten against New South Wales at Bellerive. A strong 2007-08 could see him break another mark, as he begins the summer 39 shy of Atkinson's record 262 dismissals for Tasmania. Although he has been a consistent Pura Cup contributor, he has not been part of the one-day outfit for the past three years. Paine's batting is preferred in the shorter game, where Clingeleffer's back-foot shots and lengthy stays are less valuable. One of the country's most impressive recent junior players, he was a leading member of state and national under-age sides ever since he was chosen in Tasmania's Under-17 squad in 1995 as a 15-year-old. An Academy graduate and high performer in the national under-19 setup, he is a natural, energetic and skilled gloveman, who is equally at home to fast or slow bowling. The son of a senior Tasmanian horse-racing administrator and the brother of a fellow Hobart first-grade cricketer, Clingeleffer comes from a proud sporting family.
Cricinfo staff July 2007

• Clingeleffer cut from Tasmania squad (May 22, 2008)
  
• Tigers on brink of history-making win (Mar 22, 2007)
  
• Birt's 102 keeps heat on struggling Redbacks (Mar 2, 2007)
  
• Quiney in line for Pura Cup debut (Feb 7, 2007)
  
• Paine to take gloves for Tasmania (Dec 18, 2006)
  

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Mar 22, 2007 Sean Clingeleffer sweeps as the Tigers edge closer to a Pura Cup title © Getty Images

Mar 22, 2007 Sean Clingeleffer pumps his fist after reaching his half-century © Getty Images

Mar 22, 2007 Sean Clingeleffer pulls a ball behind square on his way to a seven-hour 107 © Getty Images

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