Davidson handed Canterbury contract

Michael Davidson, Canterbury's seam bowler, has been given the team's 12th and last contract for the 2008-09 domestic season. Canterbury was the only side to leave one spot vacant when all the New Zealand domestic teams announced their contract lists in July.

"Michael fully deserves this contract and it shows that a player can progress through club cricket to become a fully contracted Canterbury Cricket player," Canterbury chief executive Lee Germon told NZPA.

Davidson was promoted from his club side St Albans in 2006-07 and made his first-class debut against Otago in the State Championship in February 2007. He played a crucial role in Canterbury winning the 2007-08 State Championship final against Wellington by taking four wickets in 11 balls.

Davidson has played six first-class matches and taken 21 wickets at an average of 24.61 and strike-rate of 58.

Canterbury contracted list: Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Leighton Burtt, Michael Davidson, Andrew Ellis, Brandon Hiini, Johann Myburgh, Michael Papps, Iain Robertson, Shanan Stewart, Kruger Van Wyk