***Official New Zealand Domestic Season 2008/09***

[Silver Arrow]

Young cricketers on the way up
Newstalk ZB - July 15, 2008, 1:31 pm

Northern Districts has included a trio of exciting young players in its twelve contracted players for the upcoming domestic cricket season.

New Zealand Under-19 captain Kane Williamson, left arm pace bowler Trent Boult and Australian born batsman Cameron Merchant are three of six new names on the Knights list. Merchant has a New Zealand mother and therefore qualifies to play for New Zealand.

Three experienced campaigners in Bradley Scott, Michael Parlane and Simon Andrew are also new names.

I think we'll see abit more of Kane Williamson this coming season with the likes of Flynn and possibly Marshall away with the NZ team.

[Smudge]

Bradley Scott's moved to ND? Interesting...

Wellington has signed on schoolboy Harry Boam - http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4618296a6033.html

[Polo23]

Good to see Cameron Merchant get an ND contract. We need to keep this bloke in NZ. I have no problem in poaching one of Manly's finest. When he came to NZ they said he would be playing for the BlackCaps within a seasons time..it probably wont work out like that but from what I hear he definitely has the talent.

I'm surprised Fraser Colson didnt get a contract..he looked probably the second best NZ batsman at the U19 WC behind Corey Anderson. Still plenty of time I suppose.

Is it just me or there far more really good youngsters coming through lately than in previous years?

[James]

Good to see more young players coming into the domestic sides.

This is an interesting development for Central Districts cricket too - http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/s...eve-coach.aspx

[Silver Arrow]

The six Major Associations have today released the list of players offered contracts for the 2008/09 season.

The players offered contracts are:

Auckland
Michael Bates
Andrew De Boorder
Colin De Grandhomme
Martin Guptill
Roneel Hira
Paul Hitchcock
Richard Jones
Tim McIntosh
Andrew McKay
Rob Nicol
Lance Shaw
Reece Young

Canterbury
Corey Anderson
Todd Astle
Hamish Bennett
Leighton Burtt
Andrew Ellis
Brandon Hiini
Johann Myburgh
Michael Papps
Iain Robertson
Shanan Stewart
Kruger Van Wyk
(plus one to be added)

Central Districts
Brendon Diamanti
Bevan Griggs
Greg Hay
Brent Hefford
Peter Ingram
Tim Lythe
Mitchell McClenaghan
Robbie Schaw
Richard Sherlock
Mathew Sinclair
Ewen Thompson
Tim Weston

Northern Districts
Graeme Aldridge
Simon Andrews
Brent Arnel
Trent Boult
Bruce Martin
Peter McGlashan
Cameron Merchant
Michael Parlane
Bradley Scott
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
Joseph Yovich

Otago
Derek de Border
Neil Broom
Ian Butler
Craig Cumming
Mathew Harvie
Nathan McCullum
James McMillan
Warren McSkimming
Leighton Morgan
Craig Smith
Greg Todd
Neil Wagner

Wellington
Matthew Bell
Harry Boam
Dewayne Bowden
Josh Brodie
Michael Burns
BJ Crook
Grant Elliott
Kevin Forde
Mark Houghton
Chris Nevin
Neal Parlane
Luke Woodcoc

Full list of players who have been offered contracts. Interesting to note that Ian Butler has been offered one by Otago.

[Smudge]

Yeah, cushions the loss of Scott a bit, although who knows what Butler is like these days. Neil Wagner I know absolutely nothing about, but Leighton Morgan is an advertisement for all the young kids playing out in the backblocks of Central Otago - he has played for Otago Country for the last couple of seasons. Aside from that, no surprises in the Otago team.

[Polo23]

Originally Posted by Voltman

Yeah, cushions the loss of Scott a bit, although who knows what Butler is like these days.

I believe he now bowls medium pace and bats in the middle/lower order. Which is good, him being quick was a myth anyway.

[NZTailender]

Reckon Otago can win a title this season, tbh.

[superkingdave]

Is it expected that Shreck will return for another season? when do the overseas players usually get announced?

[Polo23]

Originally Posted by superkingdave

Is it expected that Shreck will return for another season? when do the overseas players usually get announced?

No idea...Shreck has been playing cricket here for a few seasons though, I don't see why he wouldnt next season. Napier also played last season, hopefully he will return...atleast the the State Shield and T20's.

[Prince EWS]

I'll be interested to see if Sinclair takes up that contract. I've heard some talk to suggest he might decline if offered.

[Polo23]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

I'll be interested to see if Sinclair takes up that contract. I've heard some talk to suggest he might decline if offered.

Is he going to do a Hamish Marshall and bugger off to England?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Polo23

Is he going to do a Hamish Marshall and bugger off to England?

Hamish was obviously a very different case as he had actually been offered a NZC contract; Sinclair has not. Would you blame the guy if he did go to England?

[Polo23]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Hamish was obviously a very different case as he had actually been offered a NZC contract; Sinclair has not. Would you blame the guy if he did go to England?

Why should Sinclair have been offered a NZC contract?

He was given the whole Bangladesh series, then the whole England series to cement his spot in the NZ side. He failed miserably. Unless you think an average of 18.38 in 8 innings deserves a NZC contract?

I wouldnt blame him for going to England, he doesnt make the cut at test level so I can understand him securing his financial future completely. Likewise with Hamish Marshall.

[Natman20]

Originally Posted by Polo23

Why should Sinclair have been offered a NZC contract?

He was given the whole Bangladesh series, then the whole England series to cement his spot in the NZ side. He failed miserably. Unless you think an average of 18.38 in 8 innings deserves a NZC contract?

I wouldnt blame him for going to England, he doesnt make the cut at test level so I can understand him securing his financial future completely. Likewise with Hamish Marshall.

Sinclair scoring consistently at domestic level above most other challengers should be enough to get him a contract IMO. He IMO has always looked to be more of a talent than most have said and I think give him a couple more he'll be right into it. He was totally picked on by everyone because he was previously dropped for a long period of time in which he should have been playing and the expectations were very high. IMO he would be a better choice than some of the newbies.