Late invite bonus for Wellington schoolboys

Though they didn't know it at the time, four in-form batsmen clinched a trip to Auckland and their place in the Wellington secondary schoolboys' XI when they scored tons in the premier grade.

Batsmen Luke Scully (Wellington College), Ben Rammell (St Pat's Silverstream), Brad Chin (HIBS) and Kenneth Williams (Tawa College) have been named in the Wellington team for the inaugural Frank Grattan quadrangular provincial tournament.

Wellington received a late invitation to the Auckland-based event, dictating that selectors Rodney Moore (Tawa), Paul Brennan (HIBS), Brent Stephen (Wellington College) and Rhys Morgan (Wellington Cricket) went with form, rather than hold a trial.

Moore will coach the Wellington side in matches against Auckland, Canterbury and Hamilton secondary schools from March 22 to 24.

"We think we've selected a balanced team and in most cases their current form has been very good," Moore said.

While it had been a scramble to pick a team in a matter of days, Moore believed the process was fair.

Next year, if an invitation was forthcoming, trials would likely be held, he said. "We only received the invitation from Auckland Cricket 10 days ago," Moore said.

"All the colleges were invited to nominate players and from that a team has been selected. The selectors have a really good understanding and knowledge of schoolboy cricket."

The last time a Wellington schoolboys' selection played together was against Auckland schoolboys in 2006, but that fixture fell by the wayside because of financial and schedule restraints, Moore said.

He is delighted to see another tournament in its place. "It would be great if this invitation could be cemented for the future.

"Obviously it's a great opportunity to work with Cricket Wellington around the development of players," Moore said.

The most surprising outcome of the nomination process was the large crop of spin bowlers put forward.

Moore will urge Cricket Wellington to include these boys in a bowling clinic.

Wellington College's Charlie McLean and Andrew Fletcher were unavailable due to the Willows Cricket Club tour to Sri Lanka.

Wellington team: Sean O'Connor (St Pat's Town), captain, Nic Barry (HIBS), Brad Chin (HIBS), Josh Cuttance (St Pat's Town), Ryan Dannhauser (Onslow College), Sam Keegan (Aotea College), Hamish Kyne (Tawa College), Corey Larsen (Wellington College), Ben Rammell (St Pat's Silverstream), Luke Scully (Wellington College), Henry Walsh (St Pat's Silverstream), Kenneth Williams (Tawa College).

- © Fairfax NZ News

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