It took Michael Klinger seven years to fulfil his promise with a maiden first-class century in 2005-06 and he built on that progress the next season. He was Victoria's leading one-day run-scorer in 2006-07 and played every Pura Cup match post-Christmas, adding another hundred to his tally and finishing with 340 runs at 37.77. But 2007-08 was a tougher year for Klinger, who averaged 23.14 from seven FR Cup games and 26.33 from four Pura Cup outings, and he pursued a move to South Australia for 2008-09, hoping for more regular opportunities.

Boasting a decorated career as a junior - he was the youngest to score a first-grade century in Melbourne and captained the Australia Under-19 team - Klinger made his state debut in 1998-99 and capped his rise with a match-winning 80 against Tasmania in his opening Mercantile Mutual Cup appearance the following year. Although he was given plenty of chances, modest returns followed until 2000-01, when Klinger produced an excellent string of scores. He also hit the headlines after the captain Paul Reiffel amazingly declared an innings closed in Hobart when Klinger was 99. Again his form waned but 1105 runs for his club St Kilda in 2004-05 - and a third premiership in a row - helped him regain his state spot the following year. The undoubted highlight was his 107 against Tasmania as the Bushrangers staged a remarkable recovery to win after following on. Still, Klinger totalled a quiet 263 first-class runs at 21.91. His second century came in 2006-07 as the side chased down 360 to beat New South Wales. Despite his technically-correct style and reluctance to hit over the top, he was one of Victoria's premier limited-overs batsmen in 2006-07, collecting 422 runs. His top score was an unbeaten 123 in Canberra when he gave the Blues no chances.
Cricinfo staff April 2008

Australia Under-19s 1997/98 to 1999 (captain 1999)

• Klinger heads to South Australia (Apr 11, 2008)
  
• Hussey inflicts more pain on struggling Tasmania (Dec 11, 2007)
  
• Hodge and Klinger drive Victoria success (Jan 29, 2007)
  
• Klinger century puts match in the balance (Jan 18, 2007)
  
• Klinger stars as Victoria win easily (Dec 20, 2006)
  

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Oct 27, 2007 Michael Klinger jumps to avoid a bouncer © Getty Images

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Dec 10, 2006 Michael Klinger is mobbed by his team-mates after helping Victoria to their highest ever one-day score © Getty Images

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