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Shanan Stewart wants to be a full-time professional cricketer, and is already getting used to some of the treatment he can expect at the top level.

If the 16-year-old needed a lesson in sledging, he could not have done better than represent Canterbury at the recent under-19 national tournament in Auckland.

He was one of the youngest at the tournament, and the opposition was quick to try to intimidate him.

``Yeah, they tried to get to me all right,'' says the St Bede's Year 12 student. ``Just talking to me, saying I was a young guy ... ``

But the Cantabrian was not prepared to be verbally tormented by the older players. Although the tournament was disrupted by rain, he performed creditably with the bat, scoring 40-odd not out in one innings and chipping in lower down in other innings.

Earlier last month, he was one of the stars at the under-17 national tournament in Napier. With an unbeaten century against Otago and a couple of other 40s, his batting prowess ensured his name was one of the first to be listed in the tournament team.

Stewart - an all-rounder who usually bats at three or four and bowls medium pace - is keen to earn his living from cricket in future.

For someone so young, he has a remarkable statistic that proves he has the mettle to do this. His Napier century was his 14th in his fledging career.

``My goal is to play cricket all year round in England and New Zealand,'' he says.

He is already making a step in the right direction, having played senior cricket for Marist in the Christchurch inter-club competition.

Having represented Canterbury at various age-group levels, it appears it will be only a matter of time before Stewart makes his senior debut for the province.

He first started playing cricket about eight years ago, playing the backyard test matches against his brother and father that so many Kiwi cricketers enjoy.

He lives at Woodend and he pays special tribute to his family's support as they have often travelled long distances to watch him in action.

Stewart admired Martin Crowe, and likes watching Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle. He also likes Mark Waugh - although he agrees, with a laugh, he is much better out in the middle than being involved in bookmaking scandals.