KEY POINTS:
A Wellington teenager has become the province's first schoolboy cricketer to be offered a playing contract.
Harry Boam, 17, was yesterday named among Wellington's list of contracted players for the 2008-09 domestic season, one of a number of promising juniors promoted to first-class level by New Zealand's six major associations.
English-born allrounder Boam has emulated New Zealand under-19 teammate and fellow student Corey Anderson, who gained a Canterbury contract last season at just 16.
Junior players throughout the provinces have been promoted due to gaps left by New Zealand Cricket-contracted players, while player movement also opened up opportunities.
The addition of Iain O'Brien and Jesse Ryder to NZC's list of 20 contracted players opened the way for Boam, the leading run scorer at last year's national under-19 tournament with 542 runs at an average of 67.8, to step up.
Wellington's list also excludes former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, still in negotiations with Wellington over his possible involvement next summer.
Boam's national under-19 captain Kane Williamson and rookie pace bowler Trent Boult have been offered a contract with Northern Districts for the first time along with Australian-born left-handed opening batsman Cameron Merchant.
Northern Districts allrounder Simon Andrews has been rewarded after five years at club level while former Wellington captain Michael Parlane is returning to his home province.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler has headed to Otago while left-arm seamer Bradley Scott has taken the return journey to Northern Districts for family reasons.
- NZPA
