Otago Boys' High School First XI players Hunter Kindley, Ben Lockrose and Max Chu were placed in an awkward situation when the schedule came out.
They had to choose between representing Otago in the national under-19 tournament or playing for their school at the Secondary School Boys' First XI Cup.
Traditionally, the First XI Cup leads into the national under-19 tournament. But with the under-19 World Cup starting in New Zealand in mid-January, the national tournament was brought forward and now clashes with the First XI Cup.
The threesome helped Otago win the title last season, so it was a tough decision to make themselves unavailable.
''I knew in my heart what I wanted to do and that is what I chose,'' Chu, a promising wicketkeeper, said.
''For me, it is my last chance to give back to the school, whereas I still have a few more years to give back to Otago cricket. I still have another year in under-19s,'' he said.
There is an opportunity for the teenagers to play in the last two games of the under-19 tournament.
''So, hopefully, I can still contribute towards hopefully winning a title,'' Chu said.
Left-arm spinner Ben Lockrose said he was in ''a similar boat to Max''.
''Like Max, I wanted to give back to OBs,'' Lockrose said.
The young men have been assured by New Zealand Cricket their decision to play for their school will not damage their selection prospects.
The New Zealand under-19 team is expected to be named in mid-December and Lockrose has his fingers crossed he will make the team.
''Obviously, I'll need to put some good performances on the board to get selected. And it comes down to what they want in the team as well.
''I'll see what happens.''
Lockrose was one of the leading wicket-takers at the national under-19 tournament. Kindley was the leading scorer with 306 runs at an average of 51. He top-scored with 44 in a rain-affected final against Auckland.
Kindley was all set to play for Otago Boys' with Lockrose and Chu but dislocated his shoulder while training with the Volts last week and will miss the tournament.
The national under-19 tournament starts in Lincoln on Monday, while the First XI Cup is being staged in Palmerston North on December 4-8.
