Paul Farbrace says Kent have backed their judgement on teenage all-rounder Adam Ball by awarding him a three-year contract.

It’s believed to be an unprecedented move by the county to offer terms to one so young but team director Farbrace says he is excited by the potential of 16-year-old Ball whose signing caps a whirlwind few months for the Bexley youngster.

He was named Kent League player-of the-year in 2009, and won a late call-up to the England squad for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Farbrace said: "The club would normally offer youngsters academy, development and then professional contracts.

"But I don’t think we have produced as good a player in the last 10 years, and I haven’t seen too many better at his age.

"We see him as being a potentially high quality fast bowler, who is already bowling at 80mph, and he could be a genuine all-rounder which is very exciting.

"We don’t want to hail him as the next Ian Botham, and will look after him properly.

"His education is a priority, with his A-levels 18 months away. I am very big on that, as I explained to Adam’s parents and his headmaster at Beths Grammar School."